By Chris Camire
The Lowell Sun
PELHAM, N.H. — The town’s fire station, already in need of repairs, was severely damaged yesterday morning after a driver crashed his car into the front of the building.
Police said the accident occurred when two cars collided at 8:17 a.m. in front of the station at the intersection of Old Bridge Street and Marsh Road.
A Toyota Camry driven by Leon Moreau, 78, of Somerville, hit the front pillar of the fire station’s garage, according to Fire Chief James Midgley. The other vehicle, a Honda Accord driven by Frederick Pepe, 40, of Pelham, did not strike the building.
Both vehicles were traveling northbound. The collision forced Moreau’s car into the station, located at 8 Old Bridge St.
The drivers of both cars were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Although firefighters were working in the station’s apparatus bay when the accident occurred, they were able to move out the way and avoid injury.
The building inspector was contacted after the accident, as was a rigging company to build a temporary support system for the facade of the station.
“The whole front facade of the garage is going to have to be torn down,” said Midgley, adding that he could not estimate how much the work would cost.
Police are still investigating the accident. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor.
This is the latest in a series of unfortunate incidents at the 35-year-old fire station, which has had mold problems and a broken septic system in recent years.
Voters shot down plans to build a new central fire station for $7.3 million in 2007, $4.3 million in 2008 and $4.7 million in 2009.
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