CLAREMONT, NH—A lightning strike at 8 Union St. in Claremont caused a fire in the building’s attic Monday night.On June 28 at 9:42 pm, the Claremont Fire Department was dispatched by the Claremont Safety Services Dispatch Center to the three-story, seven-unit apartment building. The department responded with an engine and a ladder and a crew of four, with the first unit arriving at the scene at 9:45pm. According to Claremont Fire Chief Bryan Burr, “The first arriving engine found fire conditions on the third-floor exterior near the roof. Fire crew entered the building and found that the fire had extended into the attic above a third-floor apartment. The crew began extinguishing the flames, and the fire was brought under control at 10:58pm after extensive overhaul to the attic. The structure received extensive damage to the roof, and all apartments on all levels were affected by smoke and water with the exception of one unit separated from the main structure which was not affected.”Fire crews remained on scene for several hours and well into the morning, said Burr; none of the occupants was injured and all escaped on their own. One firefighter was transported by Golden Cross Ambulance to Valley Regional Hospital for an undisclosed injury and was released a few hours later. Six of the seven units currently cannot be occupied. Red Cross was contacted to assist those displaced by the fire.Ascutney and Cornish Fire Departments covered the Claremont Station, and Newport Fire Department provided manpower at the scene. Claremont Police provided traffic control and blocked off Union Street until fire crews left the scene.“The building meets all requirements of the New Hampshire State Fire Code and the City’s multifamily inspection program,” said Burr. “The building’s smoke alarms were installed properly and working at the time of the fire. The City’s building and assessing departments have been informed of the incident.”
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