Six Months Later, No Cause Found in New Hampshire Fire

Six months after a massive fire destroyed a block of businesses at New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach, investigators still can’t say what caused it.

Hampton Fire Chief Chris Silver tells the Portsmouth Herald five private fire investigators, a state investigator, attorneys, insurance companies and the town’s Fire Prevention Bureau are examining what caused the Feb. 25 fire.

Silver said investigators are waiting to test evidence that will hopefully aid in determining the cause.

The fire erupted in the first floor of the Surf Motel and spread to other businesses. It was fueled by 90-plus mph winds.

Owners of the Surf Motel, as well as Mrs. Mitchell’s souvenir shop, plan to rebuild and go before the zoning board Thursday.

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