A gas explosion at the Greater Nashua Mental Health center in Nashua, New Hampshire injured three firefighters and caused significant property damage, officials say. The blast, which occurred around 2:15 p.m., was possibly triggered by a gas line damaged by falling ice, though the investigation is ongoing. Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton said in a statement obtained by NBC Boston that the injured firefighters were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the explosion during a building evacuation.
Fire officials were initially called to the site at 440 Amherst Street after reports of a gas smell and a hissing sound, upon arrival, crews immediately worked to clear the premises. The force of the explosion was felt in the surrounding neighborhood, with a nearby resident, Anmara Khan, describing it as a massive thud against her house. New Hampshire Fire Marshal Sean Toomey emphasized to NBC Boston the importance of calling emergency services when detecting gas, "If you smell gas, call 911 and get out."
The incident also raised logistical challenges for firefighters due to freezing weather conditions. Buxton highlighted, in a NBC Boston report, that the extreme cold led to frozen hydrants creating water shortages, compromising firefighting efforts. Firefighting teams from the surrounding area were called to assist, and the building at the site was engulfed in flames, ultimately resulting in its complete destruction.
The involvement of falling ice as a probable cause for the gas line damage adds to the complexities of this case. According to a witness account shared with CBS News, the blast's impact was likened to that of a car hitting a building, illustrating the severity of the explosion. Emergency services were swift in their response, and an alert was issued to local residents to avoid the usage of burners or open flames until the situation was under control.
All told, there were about 40 people in the Greater Nashua Mental Health building during the incident, and Fire Chief Buxton confirmed in the later hours that everyone was accounted for and no one was missing. The community has been urged to stay clear of the area while emergency services, including police and firefighters, continue with their investigation and efforts to secure the site.
