NH helps workers; neighbors thank firefighters

LACONIA, N.H.—State and local officials are stepping in to help workers displaced by Thursday's fire that destroyed a longtime Laconia business, while neighbors threatened by the flames thank firefighters for saving their home.

The N.H. Rapid Response Team and the Workforce Opportunity Council will help the 60-70 hourly employees who worked at Lakes Region Linen, said City Manager Eileen Cabanel.

The team is an interagency effort to assist workers and their families who are experiencing job loss due to circumstances beyond their control, such as a layoff or disaster.

Owner Debbie Frawley Drake already has been ordering replacement supplies. She said about nine laundries have offered to help her and she believes she will be able to put her employees in their buildings including Lakes Region General Hospital, two Manchester laundries and one in Newburyport, Mass.

Michael Vlacich, the assistant commissioner of the Department of Development and Resources, said helping displaced workers get to the temporary worksites is one way the teams can help.

Of particular worry is the welfare of the many immigrants and refugees employed by Lakes Region Linen and their lack of experience with state agencies and local Community Action Programs.

Carol Pierce has worked with the city refugees and said Frawley Drake has been a huge supporter of the refugee community, often giving people their first jobs in the area.

Meanwhile, next door to the destroyed business, Jim and Jeannine Fitzgerald are thanking firefighters for saving the home they've lived in for 30 years.

A fire was something they've worried about for as long as they've lived there.

"I told him, if it went up in flames, we'd go too," said Jeannine Fitzgerald.

Their garage was about 20 feet from the flames that destroyed the business' main building. Some firefighters turned their attention, and hoses to the Fitzgerald's home as others tried to put out the flames.

"They were just really pumping water onto my house," said Jim Fitzgerald.

Fire Capt. Bob Landry said saving the house was their first priority.

"We just barely got enough water on it to keep it from catching," Landry said.

------

Information from: Citizen, http://www.citizen.com