KEENE, N.H. — The community of Keene welcomed back Lt. William “Bill” Shea, a dedicated firefighter, after he spent two weeks recovering from injuries sustained in a major gas explosion that recently devastated a mental health facility in Nashua. Shea, a veteran of the Nashua Fire Department for over two decades, was discharged from Southern New Hampshire Medical Center on Sunday, completing the recovery journey for the trio of firefighters who were hurt in the February 2 incident.
Fire officials confirmed that the injuries suffered by Shea and the other firefighters are considered non-life-threatening. Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton indicated that while Shea will need an extended period away from work, he is expected to make a full recovery. Shea’s commitment to firefighting is evident not just in Nashua, but also from his earlier service with the Keene Fire Department between 1999 and 2004. He is also recognized within the region for his involvement in fire service education.
The explosion erupted shortly after emergency teams arrived at the Greater Nashua Mental Health center, where reports of a gas odor had surfaced. At the time, around 40 individuals were inside the building. Fortunately, all occupants were evacuated in time, escaping the blast that ultimately led to the structure’s destruction and sparked a significant fire.
Witnesses living less than half a mile from the blast site reported feeling their homes tremble from the explosion’s intensity. As firefighters were mobilizing to identify the source of the gas leak, the sudden explosion caused part of the building to collapse, intensifying the chaos and danger at the scene. In response to the emergency, officials issued alerts urging nearby residents to extinguish open flames and prepare for possible evacuation.
Nearby conditions added complexity to the firefighting efforts, as recent bitter cold weather made it difficult to manage water supply for extinguishing the flames. The situation has brought a heightened focus on the investigation into the gas leak’s origin, which is currently being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a native of Nashua, expressed her gratitude to the firefighters and first responders for their swift actions during the crisis, highlighting the dedication of those who placed themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
As the community continues to recover from this dramatic episode, Shea’s return home serves as a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. His commitment to service is also reflected in his ownership of a fire service education business, which further underscores his deep connection to the Monadnock Region firefighting community.
With recovery efforts still ongoing and investigations into the cause of the gas leak revealing further insights, the focus now shifts to healing and rebuilding in the wake of one of Nashua’s most significant emergency responses in recent years.