1 person gets minor burns in Bristol condo fire displacing residents of 3 units

BRISTOL — A large fire at a three-story condominium complex, on Friday, burned three units to be uninhabitable, with one believed to be a complete loss.

Bristol Fire Department was dispatched to Woodbury Drive for a reported building fire on July 24. Lt. Matt O’Neill said the homeowners were there when the fire started, and were able to get out safely and call 911. Multiple callers reported the fire, according to a release from Bristol Fire.

Deputy Chief Chris Dolloff arrived at 4:10 p.m. on July 24, and reported heavy fire coming from a condo in a wood-frame building with five units. An engine, ladder and ambulance arrived shortly after, and additional crews were requested. Bristol Fire brought 11 total personnel, coming with two engines, a ladder truck, two ambulances, a utility truck and the command vehicle.

The fire was brought under control at 5:13 p.m., and companies cleared the scene at 7:21 p.m. Responding fire departments included Alexandria, Ashland, Bridgewater, Campton-Thornton, Danbury, Franklin, Hebron, Hill, Holderness, Meredith Fire and EMS, New Hampton, Plymouth, Rumney, and Sanbornton. Bristol Police also assisted at the scene.

O’Neill said there was no issue with water, as a hydrant was located at the intersection of West Shore Road and Woodbury. The challenge was the size of the fire, and the breeze that comes off Newfound Lake.

“The breeze could have contributed to the fire spread,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said the fire started in one unit, and there was minimal spread to another, with smoke damage to the adjacent condos. He said each unit has their own entrance and exit.

The fire happened at Manor Estates condominium association, and despite having other buildings close by, the fire was contained to the structure.

O’Neill said most of the damage to adjacent condos was from smoke and water. One resident received burn injuries, and received medical care at the scene, and was not taken to the hospital. No injuries to firefighters or pets were reported.

“The unit was a total loss, but the adjacent units can be repaired,” O’Neill said.

The American Red Cross was not called to help, as the residents displaced were able to make their own plans.

The fire is under investigation by Dolloff, who serves as the department’s fire inspector, and Chief Ben LaRochelle. The fire marshal was not called, and the fire is not deemed suspicious. The origin of fire has yet to be determined.