It’s still unknown what caused the fire that brought down Stratham Tire on Manchester Street in Concord more than a month ago.
Acting Fire Marshal Paul Sirois said his investigators are wrapping up their study of the April 15 blaze, and it looks like they won’t have enough evidence to pin down any specific cause.
“Inasmuch as we may have an idea, because we cannot prove it, we can’t necessarily classify it as one thing or another,” he said.
The fire broke out about 6 a.m. before the tire shop opened for business, and firefighters have found no evidence that anyone was inside.
On its way to causing more than $4 million in damage, the fire churned through stacks of tires and produced a column of black smoke that could be seen from miles around.
Sirois said in terms of lost property value, the fire was “probably the biggest so far this year.”
In spite of the building being a complete loss, Stratham Tire is hoping to be back in business soon. The family-owned, New Hampshire-based tire chain bought the building next door to their home of nearly 40 years within a week of the fire.
The company received planning board approval on its new sign Wednesday.
Because the fire consumed the 1952 building so quickly – causing the roof to cave in within minutes – it left little behind in some areas for firefighters to investigate. There was no sprinkler system installed.
“We don’t have all the pieces of the puzzle to make a full picture,” the fire marshal said. “Because we don’t have all the parts and pieces, we can’t necessarily classify it was electrical or hazardous material or accidental or whatever.”
Sirois said it’s possible the insurance company could discover new information that invigorates the city’s investigation, but until then it’ll remain unknown.
“For us here, the fire is classified as undetermined until otherwise,” he said.