Fire Department

The Laconia Fire Department responded to two building collapses due to snow loading within a 12-hour period. Neither building was occupied at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported. The State has racked up over 100 inches of snowfall which has caused over 12 buildings to collapse around the region.

First Collapse
The first collapse occurred at 1 p.m., on February 27, 2008 at a restaurant located on Lakeside Avenue in Weirs Beach.

Second Collapse
The second collapse occurred at 1 a.m. on February 28, 2008 at a boat storage facility on Blaisdell Avenue.

Images
View images from the two collapses.

Heavy Fire
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.

Fire Extends
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 and D received only minor water and heat damage.

Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid was received from the following Fire Departments:

• Belmont
• Franklin
• Gilford
• Gilmanton
• Holderness
• Meredith EMS
• Meredith
• Tilton-Northfield

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).

Cause 
The fire origin and cause is currently under investigation.

Images
View images from this fire.

An early morning fire on March 11, 2008 destroyed a long established auto repair business on Weirs Boulevard.  The fire was quickly brought under control.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.