Press Release

August 9, 2004

Press Release – Peterborough Fire/Rescue

August 9, 2004    For Immediate Release:  Two-Alarm Fire at West Peterborough Mill Building

            On Monday, Peterborough Fire & Rescue continued a busy week, suppressing a two-alarm fire in the rear of the “Gates Building,” a West Peterborough landmark.  Just before 3pm on Monday August 9, the first alarm was struck, dispatching PFR to what was believed to be a chemical fire in the five story brick building.  Initial reports stated that workers in the building had suppressed the fire, but a size-up by the first unit on the scene determined that the fire was continuing to spread.  At that time, PFR command called for a second alarm. 

Upon arrival, the first engine company stretched a 1 ¾ inch hand line to the rear of the first floor and found a room full of smoke and a smoldering pile, including some class A combustibles.  After suppressing the pile, the company found that the fire had spread to the fiberglass and plywood material that made up the floor.  “There was a lot of smoke,” said Deputy Chief Paul Thibault, the officer who accompanied the first engine company into the fire room.  Heavy grey smoke could be seen billowing from the windows at the rear of the building.  After quickly suppressing the fire, two Peterborough engine companies and the Peterborough ladder company began overhaul of the fire room.  Working with self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighters dismantled parts of the floor with axes and a power saw to follow the path of the fire.  The fire was declared under control at 3:15 pm.  Overhaul and salvage continued until after 4pm.  In all, seven pieces of apparatus from three separate towns responded to the blaze.  Peterborough Fire & Rescue responded with two engines, a tanker, and the ladder truck.  PFR sent an ambulance with an EMS crew to stand by.  Dublin sent a pumper with a full engine company to the scene.  Hancock sent an engine and crew to the Peterborough station to cover. 

The vacant building is in the middle of a massive renovation.  The workers in the building were never in significant danger and there were no injuries on the scene.  The extent of the damage is unknown, though the fire was quickly contained and did not spread far beyond the seat of the fire.  The fire was contained in one room and that room was largely empty.  “It was a textbook operation,” said Peterborough Fire Chief Joseph Lenox, III.  The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation by PFR and the state Fire Marshal’s office.  Suspicious activity has been ruled out. 

Contact Person:  Eric Bowman, Public Information Officer

Peterborough Fire & Rescue

(H) 924-1954