Two people were critically injured after jumping from a burning apartment building in Manchester on Friday night, as flames tore through several units.
The Manchester Fire Department received the first call at 7:41 p.m. for a blaze at the 4-story building on 26 Sullivan Street, where residents were reportedly trapped inside.
Within minutes, the incident escalated into a three-alarm fire, prompting crews from neighboring communities to join the effort to battle the flames.
Numerous families were displaced from their homes in Manchester on Friday night, as a fire tore through an apartment building on Sullivan Street. Courtesy JAY HEATH PHOTOS 
Numerous families were displaced from their homes in Manchester on Friday night, as a fire tore through an apartment building on Sullivan Street. Courtesy JAY HEATH PHOTOS 
Numerous families were displaced from their homes in Manchester on Friday night, as a fire tore through an apartment building on Sullivan Street. Courtesy JAY HEATH PHOTOS
Fire Chief Ryan Cashin said when crews arrived, they found “heavy fire” coming from the building’s second and third floors.
As firefighters battled the flames and searched for residents, parts of the structure began to collapse, forcing crews to retreat from certain areas.
“We surrounded the building with fire hoses. We knocked down the bulk of the fire to make it safe again for us to get back in there,” said Cashin.
In a press release, the Manchester Fire Department confirmed that two residents were taken to nearby hospitals with serious injuries after being forced to jump from the third-floor of the building to escape the fire.
It took nearly three and a half hours, every available Manchester firefighter and all of the city’s fire apparatus to bring the blaze under control. The “all clear” was declared around 11:10 p.m.
Mutual aid companies from Concord, Goffstown, Hooksett, Merrimack, Bedford, Londonderry, Derry, Auburn, Litchfield, Allenstown, Hudson, Salem and Nashua responded to provide fire and EMS coverage in the city.
No emergency personnel were injured.
The American Red Cross was also on scene to assist displaced tenants.
The six-unit structure was built in 1910, according to city property records.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Manchester Fire Marshal and the Fire Prevention Division, and the building has been declared a total loss.
As firefighters battled the flames, thick smoke billowed across the city for blocks and was visible from across the river. Residents near the building coughed through the haze, with some wearing masks for protection.
Several nearby homes temporarily lost power, which was restored by 10:48 p.m.