More than a dozen people displaced by fire while stay-at-home order is in effect in Manchester, NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A massive fire in Manchester, New Hampshire displaced more than a dozen people a day after Governor Sununu announced a stay-at-home order.

Police blocked off the 200 block area of Spruce Street for most of Friday afternoon into the evening as fire crews continued to work on the blaze.

The fire, which quickly spread to nearby buildings, started sometime in the afternoon and sent clouds of smoke billowing into the air.

Officials said protocols are still in place to make sure the victims have a place to stay.

The Red Cross was able to make sure the victims had a place to go, even if it meant placing them in hotels so they could abide by the stay-at-home order.

“If hotels are not open right now what they’ll do is find them a temporary shelter to stay at,” said Manchester Fire Chief Hank Martineau.

“These people have got to have some place to sleep tonight so they’re not going to neglect that need their immediate need is to be sheltered,” said Angie, a member of a local community service group who was on scene connecting with the victims.

A few victims told Boston 25 News they were planning on staying with family for the time being as the stay-at-home order goes into effect at midnight.

The Manchester Fire Department said that, despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, they are still answering calls as they come in. As they continue to do their best to keep everyone safe, firefighters asked people to practice safe social distancing to give crews the space they need to do their job.

Despite the pandemic, local community groups are doing everything they can to help out those displaced.

“We have kids, we have pets, we have families and we are all in the local neighborhood so we want to help get them extra supplies whatever they might need,” said Angie. “I know that the COVID-19 crisis is really a big huge thing and we all need to be concerned and preparing for that, but the immediate need is going to be to get these families shelter, there are children involved we have to get them clothes, food, whatever the families need and that’s going to be the priority.”

No injuries have been reported at this time.

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