Laconia attic fire leaves 12 without shelter, firefighter hurt after short fall

LACONIA — A firefighter suffered minor injuries in a large fire that displaced 12 residents Friday night, after the stairs they were climbing collapsed beneath their feet. No one else was injured, and all residents safely left the building.

The Laconia Fire Department received two 911 calls about a fire at an apartment building on Court Street, next to Cumberland Farms, at 7:04 p.m. on Aug. 28. Arriving on scene three minutes later, firefighters were greeted with smoke showing from the second floor, in the rear of the building.

Firefighters began an attack and search for occupants. Due to heat and heavy smoke, additional personnel and apparatus were requested.

Firefighters on Laconia 13 Engine 1 had limited visibility given the heavy smoke inside the building, but eventually located the blaze in the attic of the rear apartment. Firefighters put out the bulk of the fire using the initial hose line.

The building’s unique and “complicated” floor plan and two levels made it tricky for firefighters to investigate the scene.

“Companies conducted extensive overhaul, search, and ventilation to locate any hidden fire, salvage of the other apartments to prevent further water damage, and clear smoke that had traveled throughout the building,” according to a press release issued by Deputy Fire Chief Louis Loutrel.

The firefighter who fell through the wooden stairs required no medical treatment. The scene was cleared about three hours later.

All told, 12 residents have been displaced. Each unit had varying amounts of damage due to fire, smoke or water damage. The American Red Cross is assisting the residents who are displaced.

Daniel Fife, a tenant of the building, said he was shocked.

“I was shaken up and [worn] down from this,” Fife said in a phone interview Monday. He wasn't home at the time of the fire. He said he learned about it after landing at Boston Logan International Airport after a flight from Los Angeles. “All my stuff is unharmed. My ceiling came down, and my landlord escorted me to get some essentials.”

The American Red Cross gave Fife $350 toward temporary lodging and essentials. He says he’ll be OK.

Other tenants weren’t so lucky.

Ryan Knott, who lived on the second floor with his 8-year-old daughter, Ivy, and his fiancée, along with their two cats, discovered the fire in the ceiling himself about 15 minutes after arriving home on Friday. He immediately told his daughter to put on her shoes.

Ivy handled the emergency extremely well, and went to a pre-decided meetup location the family created as part of their fire evacuation plan. She then found an adult to call 911.

“I’m so proud of my little 8-year-old girl,” said Knott via phone on Monday. “The firefighters came over and shook her hand.”

Unfortunately, their apartment was heavily damaged. The family is without a place to live, and was unable to immediately find lodging. His daughter, fiancée and pets are with family. He’s been couch surfing and camping.

“I just went there, and it’s so depressing,” Knott said. “Our biggest hurdle is going to be finding a new house. I’m bouncing around. Can’t rack up a huge bill in hotel rooms. I’m also a full-time student getting my bachelor's.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help Knott and his family get back on their feet.

“We’re all safe. We’re not together, but we’ll get there soon enough.”

The fire department lauded the early fire warning by residents. It may have very well have saved a life, according to the press release.

“Quick notification by occupants of the building helped to create early notification to 911, prevent further loss of property, and allowed other occupants to exit safely,” said Chris Mazur, Laconia firefighter.

At the scene, Laconia Fire was assisted by crews from Belmont, Franklin, Gilford, Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, Meredith, Sanbornton and Tilton-Northfield, along with Laconia police. Firefighters from Center Harbor, Gilmanton, Loudon and New Hampton provided station coverage.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.