City of Laconia Fire Department

Call Archives - Laconia Fire Respods to 3-Alarm Fire At Laundry Facility

Thu. Sep 4th 2008

On September 4, 2008 at 2338 hours, the Laconia Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at Lakes Region Linen at 40 Opechee Street. Arriving units found heavy fire showing from the roof and rear exterior walls of the building. An immediate 2nd alarm was sounded. Heavy fire was impinging on the left exposure (Side B) which was less than 3 feet from the fire building. Fire was also impinging on the right exposure (Side D). Protective lines were immediately placed into service to protect both exposures. These lines alternated in providing a direct exterior attack on the fire until additional lines were placed into service.

At the height of the fire, Laconia Fire and mutual aid units had two ladder pipes and four master streams in service with a combined flow of over 5000 GPM. The fire extended into the office portion of the building and a third alarm was requested for manpower to relieve exhausted crews. The fire resulted in a complete loss of the laundry facility but the exposures on Side B & D received only minor water and heat damage.

Mutual Aid was received from the Gilford, Belmont, Meredith, Meredith EMS, Tilton-Northfield, Franklin, Gilmanton and Holderness fire departments.

Also responding to the scene was the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Public Service of New Hampshire (electrical utility) and National Grid (gas utility).

The fire origin and cause is currently under investigation.