Hilltop Chevrolet open as fire is investigated

Aug. 25--SOMERSWORTH -- Hilltop Chevrolet is fully open and employees say the business is "super lucky" following Friday night's three-alarm fire.

Kylie Goodwin, the dealership's director of operations, credited the "swift" work of responding fire departments in containing the fire to the building's reconditioning department and preventing a more significant loss.

"We were super blessed to not really have much of an impact to the sales and service end of the business," Goodwin said Monday.

A passer-by reported the fire at 6:45 p.m. Friday, roughly 15 minutes after the last employee left and closed the dealership for the night.

The state fire marshal's office is investigating the cause. Investigators couldn't immediately be reached for updates about the investigation Monday and Somersworth Fire Chief George Kramlinger referred all questions about the investigation to the state fire marshal.

Kramlinger said Saturday investigators do not suspect any criminal activity or danger to the public.

The fire caused various fire, smoke and water damage to the 385 Route 108 building and several vehicles. One firefighter got overheated while battling the heavy fire and smoke, was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and later released, Kramlinger has said.

Hilltop reopened Saturday morning with "business as usual," according to Goodwin. She said the only impacts to the operations are that the damaged portion of the building is sealed off, the reconditioning department has been detailing cars outside in the parking lot, and the dealership's parts department was still working without power as of 11 a.m. Monday.

"Everybody's making do, just kind of navigating around the situation and making the best of it," said Goodwin, whose dealership celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year under the ownership of Ron Currier.

Goodwin said the extent of the damage is significant, though Hilltop is waiting on its insurance adjuster to determine just how extensive it is.

"It's definitely a lot, but we just don't know until they get in there," said Goodwin.

Goodwin said Hilltop staff appreciate the outpouring of community support and well wishes they've received since the fire.

"We're so thankful," said Goodwin. "Under the circumstances, we were so blessed."

___

(c)2020 the Foster's Daily Democrat (Dover, N.H.)

Visit the Foster's Daily Democrat (Dover, N.H.) at www.fosters.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.