This Story appeared in the November 30, 2007 Eagle Tribune

Inferno ravages Derry businesses;
more than 20 fire departments fight blaze

written by Terry Date

FIRE SCENE AUDIO

CLICK HERE FOR INCIDENT AUDIO

DERRY | A massive fire last night destroyed a steel building housing three Rockingham Road businesses, drawing more than 20 fire departments to battle the spectacular blaze.

The owners of the two computer companies and a motorcycle shop looked on in bewilderment from across the street as the flames rose into the sky and heavy smoke blanketed their businesses at 238 Rockingham Road, near the Windham line.

One owner and two employees from another business were inside when a fire alarm sounded, escaping unharmed. No injuries were reported.

A passerby reported the blaze about 5:30 p.m., shortly after a house fire erupted in Londonderry, requiring firefighters from several area departments, including those from Derry.

Firefighters' response to the Derry commercial building was also made more difficult because of the presence of propane and acetylene tanks inside. The municipal water system does not extend to that part town.

A line of tankers from 14 fire departments trucked in water to fight the blaze, ferrying the supply from a fire hydrant at West Running Brook Middle School to the 5,200-square-foot building.

Derry fire Chief George Klauber said the fire appeared to have originated in the rear of the building. Upon firefighters' arrival, the blaze was so intense in that area that the metal siding was glowing, he said.

Firefighters pulled back in their attempt to enter the building after a partial collapse between the two floors, Klauber said.

The building was for sale, said owner Steve Lombari of Salem, who also owns one of the computer companies, New England Computer Remarketing Inc. The firm, which sells laptop and desktop computers, had about $120,000 worth of products inside, he said.

Innovative Computer Services had about $100,000 worth of computer networking products inside the 10-year-old building, including hubs and switches, said owner Ray Marcoux.

The other business was Trikes Northeast, which assembles three-wheel motorcycles.

Marcoux was among the three people who escaped the burning building. He and the others scattered throughout the first and second floors after hearing the alarm to find the fire. They checked all areas, except for those that were locked, Marcoux said.

They were unable to find any evidence of a fire indoors and then went outside. Once outside, Marcoux said an automatic garage door opened on its own, and smoke came pouring out.

"That was the weirdest thing in the world," he said. "I was looking for someone to come running out."

No one did. The door then went back down, automatically, after about four minutes, he said.

Klauber said the fire was reported by the passerby before the three men exited the building and may have been burning for a while before it was spotted. A burglary alarm preceded the fire alarm, he said.

Several Derry police officers responded to the fire. The police were needed to gather statements from witnesses, the Derry fire chief said.

Klauber, who also called in the state fire marshal's office, said he does not suspect arson.

Two weeks ago, obscenities were spray-painted in large letters on a garage door of the building and beer cans were scattered on the grounds, but the business owners do not think that incident was related to the fire, Marcoux said.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control about 7 p.m.

Thirty minutes earlier, a curtain of gray smoke the length of the building swept upward. Firefighters pounded the metal siding with streams of water as flames shot through the roof and open windows.

At one point, bystanders felt the ground rumble after an apparent explosion.

The flames burned blue, aqua, violet and purple as well as yellow and orange.

Two windows next to each other on the second floor burned two different hues, one yellowish and the other bluish.

Derry received assistance from fire departments in Raymond, Fremont, Litchfield, Pelham, Auburn, Plaistow, Windham, Candia, Sandown, Kingston, Atkinson, Hampstead, Chester, Bedford, Londonderry, Salem, Danville, Manchester and Hudson.

Station coverage was provided by Manchester, Plaistow, Hooksett and Merrimack.

Most of the firefighters were released from the scene by 11 p.m.

Klauber said firefighters would stay at the site throughout the night in case of a flare-up.

The Salvation Army served firefighters food along with hot and cold drinks.

Public Service of New Hampshire disconnected electric service to the building.

Police rerouted Rockingham Road traffic on each side of the fire scene, about a mile away from the historic Robert Frost Farm.