4-Alarm Fire Destroys Historic Concord Condominium Building

CONCORD, NH — A deck fire at a historic home in Downtown Concord kept Concord firefighters busy on Wednesday and eventually led to four alarms and — and fire crews from around the capital region assisting city firefighters.

Around 12:30 a.m., firefighters were sent to 32 Merrimack St., a four-unit building, for a report of flames seen from a deck. Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed the fire on the second-floor deck that was "rapidly extending" into a third floor and attic, according to Sean Brown, chief of the Concord Fire Department.

"Companies initiated search operations and an aggressive interior attack," he said. "It was determined that the five occupants of the building were able to self-evacuate."

A cat was also rescued by a Concord firefighter.

Due to the size and age of the building — it was constructed in 1880, according to city records, the fire spread easily via "multiple void spaces between walls and floors, creating a very challenging firefighting conditions," Brown added.

The fire eventually went to four alarms with 18 different cities and towns sending firefighters to assist or cover the city during the event.

After about three and half hours, the fire was brought under control. Brown said there were no injuries and it remains under investigation.

The building, known as the William King House, like several in the historic city neighborhood, was converted to condominiums in 2005 by Jonathan Chorlian, a local developer. One of the condos was featured as a home of the week on Concord NH Patch in 2014.

NEWS 603 posted five videos of the fire on YouTube.com of the fire. Video 1 shows the fire coming from the deck just before firefighters arrived.

Video 2:

Video 3:

Video 4:

Video 5:

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.