Somersworth mill fire under investigation

Jan. 08--SOMERSWORTH -- Eric Chinburg said he's "heartbroken" over the loss of a vacant mill near Main Street destroyed in a massive fire Monday night.

Chinburg is president and chief executive officer of Chinburg Properties, which manages the mill complex that was formerly home of the Great Falls Bleachery and Dye Works facility. It was the third blaze at the complex this century -- fire struck a portion of the complex in 2003 and again in 2007.

"It just breaks your heart to see a building that is part of history burn down," Chinburg said.

Chinburg said his company has operated the property for "17 or 18" years, noting arson was the cause of the two previous fires. Fire Chief Keith Hoyle also noted the past fires were arson. The Somersworth Fire Department said Tuesday it was still investigating the cause of Monday's fire along with the state fire marshal's office. Calls and messages left with the fire marshal were not immediately returned.

Chinburg said the damage to the building could be in the $100,000-$200,000 range. It was not insured, he said.

"You can't insure a building like this," Chinburg said. He said work was being done on the roof of the building Monday, but his company had no concrete plans to renovate the building.

Somersworth police Capt. Russell Timmons said they are "actively monitoring" the situation, and will wait for the fire marshal's office to complete its investigation before taking action. No arrests have been made, police said.

Fire officials said the city's building inspector will order the mill to be razed, calling it a "total loss." Fire officials said since it is an older mill structure, there will be hidden pockets of fire unable to be extinguished until exposed by construction equipment.

Flames were "darkened down" around 1 a.m. Tuesday, fire officials said. The incident caused many people along Main Street to leave their houses to get a better look at the fire. Michael Negm, owner of Negm Electric at 302 Main Street, said he immediately drove to his building on Monday night as soon as he heard about the fire. His building is about 1,300 feet from the scene of the fire.

"It was a relief," said Negm, who also owns the adjoining laundromat and storage facility at 302 Main St. "Any time there's a fire a half-mile from your building, you're going to be concerned."

The area of the vacant mills is separated from nearby residences by railroad tracks. Just beyond the mills is the Salmon Falls River.

Muatsim Chaudhry, who owns Hardee's Market & Deli across the street from Negm's businesses, said he was concerned about his store and watched the fire from his upstairs apartment until about 2 a.m. Tuesday. He said he has owned Hardee's since 2000 and remembers the 2003 and 2007 mill fires.

"I was worried that the fire was going to come this way," Chaudhry said. "Good thing there was no wind coming this way."

This story may be updated.

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