Flames shoot through the roof of an Orange Street apartment building in the early-morning hours of July 21. Courtesy photo/Nashua Fire Rescue

NASHUA – The two-alarm fire that tore through 19 Orange St. in the early-morning hours of July 21 was likely to have been an act of arson, according to state Attorney General John Formella’s Office.

The fire resulted in the deaths of Scott Thomas, 66, and Gerald Gutekunst, 80. Gutekunst was found deceased inside his apartment while Thomas was later pronounced dead at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, they both died of smoke inhalation. Gutekunst’s death was determined to be a suicide.

According to Nashua Fire Rescue, firefighters responded to the scene at 3:26 a.m. and found flames shooting from the roof of the two-story building.

Firefighters attacked the blaze on ladders with two hose lines. Several other hoses were deployed on the ground. The intense flames caused the roof to give way and prompted commanders to evacuate their firefighters.

As a result, eight residents have been displaced.

Although the official cause of the fire remains under investigation, it is believed that at approximately 3:03 a.m., Gutekunst locked his apartment door and intentionally started the fire. There is no evidence suggesting that he tried to escape.

Investigators also obtained a letter from Gutekunst stating that he intended to harm himself.

In 2019, Gutekunst, who was living in Hudson at the time, was charged with arson and threatening violence. The charges were ultimately dismissed as he was “not competent to stand trial and not restorable to competency.”