Probe under way in Rochester Fairgrounds livestock building fire

Damage to the livestock building was limited to about a third of the structure. (Rochester Fire photos)

ROCHESTER - A section of a livestock building used during the annual Rochester Fair was damaged in a Sunday night fire. It was the second blaze of the day after a one-story garage on Pine Street was destroyed just after midnight.

The fairgrounds fire was called in around 10:14 p.m. with Rochester firefighters upon arrival finding a 30-foot by 200-foot barn with fire coming from the far end of the building.

After additional personnel was summoned the blaze was quickly brought under control with damage limited to about a third of the building.

An aggressive attack on the garage fire was able to spare the main residence, firefighters said.

The barn is used only during the 10 days of the fair for livestock shelter and was empty with no operational utilities at the time of the fire.

No injuries were reported. Somersworth and Barrington provided station coverage for the city. The fire is currently under investigation by the city's Fire Marshal.

The earlier fire was called in just after midnight at 75 Pine St. Arriving crews found a single-story garage attached to a single family residence on fire.

After an aggressive offensive attack on the fire the blaze was contained before extending to the main residence.

All occupants were able to safely get out with no injuries repor5td.

Somersworth, Farmington and Durham firefighters assisted at the scene. The fire has been determined as accidental originating in a chicken coup attached to the side of the garage.