Fire causes 'significant damage' to North East Cutting Die business in Dover

DOVER — A fire inside the North East Cutting Die commercial building hit three alarms and caused severe damage to the structure early Sunday evening.

Dover Fire and Rescue was alerted to the fire at 5:30 p.m., with multiple callers reporting heavy smoke and fire at the 29 Industrial Park Drive building.

Flames were "coming out of the roof,” Dover Fire Chief Michael McShane said.

The 14,760-square-foot building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, which city firefighters and mutual aid responders had under control by 7:33 p.m., according to the chief. Dover Fire and Rescue called all of its off-duty personnel to respond and remained until shortly before midnight.

The cause and origin of the fire were not immediately known. No civilians or firefighters were injured in the blaze, which the department was continuing to investigate Monday.

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McShane, noting the flames caused “significant damage,” said a preliminary investigation pointed to the fire beginning in an office area inside the building.

“At this point in time, the fire does not appear to be criminal in nature, however it is still under investigation,” a Dover Fire & Rescue press release states.

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Dover property records show the metal-framed building, owned by R&R Bernstein Holding, LLC, was built in 1980 and was last valued at more than $1 million. North East Cutting Die was founded in 1962.

McShane noted the metal-frame building will be evaluated for potential use in the future despite the damage.

“Whether the building is a total loss will be determined by an engineer,” he said.

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The fire drew a large mutual aid response from local communities in New Hampshire and Maine, with firefighters from Berwick, Durham, Lee, Newington, Portsmouth, Rochester, Rollinsford, Somersworth and South Berwick assisting. Firefighters from Hampton, Lee and Portsmouth, as well as McGregor Memorial Ambulance in Kittery, provided station coverage.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover NH fire causes 'significant damage' to North East Cutting Die