Claremont Apartment Fire Displaces About 10, Rescues Pets, Investigation Underway

Fire crews responding to 147 Main St. found heavy fire showing on the second floor and later discovered flames had extended into the building’s attic, displacing about 10 residents and causing extensive fire and water damage. Firefighters were dispatched to the four-story residential building at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, and the blaze was extinguished about 25 minutes after the initial report.

The Claremont Fire Department issued a news release saying, “Due to significant fire and water damage, the building was deemed unsafe for occupancy.” Impacted residents gathered at the Claremont Fire Department while the American Red Cross worked with fire officials to provide shelter and assistance. “Fire officials worked with the American Red Cross to provide assistance to approximately 10 displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation with the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office,” according to local broadcast coverage.

Emergency medical personnel from Golden Cross Ambulance treated one occupant for minor injuries at the scene. Red Cross volunteer George Sykes said by phone that firefighters rescued multiple animals from the building, “including dogs, cats and a bearded dragon.” “As far as I know, all the pets were rescued,” Sykes added when assisting residents at the fire department.

City and mutual-aid resources supported the response. Windsor and Newport fire crews assisted at the scene while the Unity and Weathersfield fire departments provided station coverage. The Claremont Police Department, the Department of Public Works and the city’s building inspector also assisted during operations.

The building at 147 Main St. is owned by Kevin Lacasse. Claremont property records show the structure was appraised last year for $404,000. Lacasse said by phone Monday that the extent of the damage has not yet been formally evaluated and that the building is insured.

Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office have been tasked with determining the origin and cause of the fire. Officials have not released a timeline for the investigation, and local authorities have not provided a final count of displaced residents beyond the approximately 10 cited by responding agencies.

Neighborhood residents and municipal officials will likely watch for the marshal’s findings and for a formal damage assessment from the city building inspector. In the immediate aftermath, Red Cross volunteers remained on scene to coordinate temporary assistance for those who evacuated and to confirm the status of residents and their pets.