Portsmouth NH camper fire: Safeway Storage saved on McDonough St.

PORTSMOUTH — Damage was not extensive inside a McDonough Street building after a fire broke out in a nearby camper Saturday, according to city Fire Chief Bill McQuillen.

The Portsmouth Fire Department and local agencies responded to the two-alarm fire Saturday morning.

The blaze, according to the chief, began when combustible materials inside the vehicle caught fire due to being too close to an electrical space heater.

"Keep flammable materials three feet away at least from a space heater," McQuillen said. "That advice goes for wherever you’re using a space heater."

The camper, burnt severely and rendered a total loss, was parked just a few feet away from the building at 135 McDonough St., which houses Safeway Storage.

The fire, called in at 10:51 a.m. on Saturday, spread inside the building, according to firefighters. Equipped with smoke alarms and a sprinkler system, both of which were activated when the fire broke in, the building saw some water and smoke damage but not major damage, according to McQuillen. It was contained to a closet and adjoining storage units.

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The chief said nothing within Safeway Storage, which includes art studios, has been deemed a total loss.

On scene on Saturday, a man named Giuseppe Maini had minor wounds which were bandaged by a doctor passing by the scene. Maini, who McQuillen confirmed was in the vehicle at the time of the fire, previously told the Portsmouth Herald the camper was his and that he tried and failed to extinguish the fire on his own.

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McQuillen said Maini refused further medical attention and has since been referred to the Red Cross for aid.

The fire was declared under control at 11:39 a.m. on Saturday by the Portsmouth Fire Department.

Mutual aid was provided by firefighters from Newington, Kittery, Rye, Dover, Greenland and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Station coverage was provided by Hampton, North Hampton Durham, New Castle and Exeter.