Thirteen people who occupied the structure at the time of the fire all escaped unharmed.

South Street and surrounding streets were blocked off for three hours while crews contained and extinguished the fire by hose and water.

First to arrive was the Claremont Fire Department with an engine and a ladder truck fire apparatus with a crew of four firefighters at 1:45AM.

The first arriving engine reported smoke conditions inside the structure.

A 1st Alarm was struck once fire crews determined the fire had progressed into the walls and ceilings, bringing all available city firefighters to the scene.

Mutual responders from Newport, Ascutney and Cornish fire departments were also dispatched to the scene.

The Charlestown Fire Department covered the Claremont Station while responders quenched the blaze in a three hour confrontation with the fire.

The fire was brought under control at 4:18 AM, and crews worked throughout the morning extinguishing small fires that remained in the concealed spaces of the structure.

One engine and a crew remained on scene into the late morning checking for hot spots.

According to Claremont Fire Chief Bryan Burr, the building is insured and will not be a total loss.

Golden Cross Ambulance also assisted at the scene to assist the occupants and respond to potential injuries.

According to Fire Chief Burr, the multi-family was outfitted with working smoke alarms alerting the occupants of smoke released from the fire and this was the primary reason there were no fatalities, and that the thirteen occupants did not sustain any injuries.

Fire Chief Burr commented on the teamwork expressing his gratitude for local cooperation during the fire saying that all responding units, “worked like a well-oiled machine.”

“We [Claremont Fire Department] have a good relationship with Newport, Ascutney, Cornish and Charlestown fire departments,” Burr noted.

Burr confirmed that the local American Red Cross agencies have connected with the displaced residents.

The NH Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire along with the Claremont Police Department. Anyone with information relating to this fire is asked to contact the Claremont Police Department at 603-542-9538.