Nashua Apartment Fire Claims Two Lives, Investigation Underway

Nashua authorities are investigating a fatal apartment fire that occurred just before 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday at 19 Orange St. Two residents were found deceased at the scene. One victim, identified as Scott Thomas, 66, was transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and later pronounced dead. The second deceased individual is believed to be Gerald Gutekunst, 80, pending official confirmation.

Gutekunst had a history of arson charges from 2019, stemming from an incident where he set his apartment on fire in an apparent attempted murder-suicide. Following that event, he was deemed not competent to stand trial and was released to the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services in December 2021. State and local officials are examining all information, including the possibility that Gutekunst initiated the fire as a suicide and it subsequently spread, causing Thomas's death.

Autopsies are being conducted by the state's chief medical examiner for both individuals. All other residents of the apartment building were able to escape the fire without injury. Investigators continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses as they work to determine the precise circumstances leading up to this deadly incident.