NASHUA, NH — The woman who died in Saturday morning’s 2-alarm fire on Cross Street has been identified as Randi Gagnon-Davis, 43.
The NH Medical Examiner’s Office determined she died of smoke inhalation, and the manner of the death was accidental.
Nashua Fire, police, and AMR ambulance were dispatched to a report of a fire in a 2-unit residence at 26 Cross St. Saturday.
Find out what’s happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On arrival at about 7:30 a.m., a second alarm was requested due to the fire’s intensity and the proximity of the adjacent structures.
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Off-duty Nashua Fire Lt. Thomas Lanzara was the first to arrive at the fire scene. He came into contact with an injured occupant who had exited the building and advised that someone was trapped inside. AMR medics began to treat the victim.
Find out what’s happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Firefighters arriving at the scene were advised of the location of the person still in the building. Crews stretched numerous hose lines and made an aggressive interior attack. Once inside the fire apartment, they found one occupant deceased.
The victim, who was able to exit the building, was transported to a Nashua Hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. Boston MedFlight flew her to a Boston hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Firefighters could protect any extensive damage to adjacent structures and bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said this is the fourth fire-related fatality this week in New Hampshire. A woman died in a fiery crash in Pelham. Two people died in fires Thursday: a man died in Concord and a man in Manchester.
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Nashua Fire Rescue battled a fire at 6 Cross St. earlier this month, injuring and displacing several people.
Nashua Fire and Police also responded to and investigated a fatal car crash on Monday on Amherst Street that killed a woman and seriously injured a man.
Mutual Aid for station coverage was provided by fire departments from Merrimack, Manchester, Hudson, Tyngsborough.
The Red Cross and Nashua Emergency Management are working with the occupants to provide services. The extensive smoke and fire damage will prevent people from re-occupying the building until significant repairs are made.
The NH State Fire Marshals Office, Nashua Fire, and police are investigating the fire.
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The investigation into the origin & cause of the fire is active and ongoing by members of the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Nashua Fire and Police Departments.
State Fire Marshal Toomey reminds all citizens of the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home. In the event of an alarm activation or visible smoke or fire, immediately exit your home and call 9-1-1.
Keep exits clear and accessible and have a home fire escape plan. If you have any questions about fire safety in your home, please contact your local fire department or the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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