Christian Conference Center in Alton Destroyed by Fire

A line of police tape cordons off the site of the fire in Alton. (Shannon Mullen, NHPR)

The charred black chimneys of some of the 45 cottages destroyed in Sunday’s blaze stand dark against a bright blue sky here in Alton Bay.

A cold, north-westerly wind gusts in off Lake Winnipesaukee, the same way it did Sunday, fanning this fire to a record 14 alarms.

That’s the largest ever-test of this region’s mutual aid fire call system, says Alton Fire Chief Scott Williams.

"This was probably the worst fear we had as a fire department. We had a pre-plan for this last year. We always said, big fire, north west wind day, and we had that yesterday. Best part of the whole thing was, it was not 4th of July weekend."

When this interdenominational center would have been packed with worshippers on summer vacation.

Right now it’s closed for the season, so most of the 176 cottages were empty.

Chief Williams says only one firefighter was injured, out of the more than 200 mostly volunteers from over 40 towns that answered Alton’s call.

"We had to go to the lake and what we call draft the water out of the lake. And those evolutions just take plain old time to set up, get them into position and running, and when you have a 35 mile an hour wind, you’re playing catch up the whole time."

The conference center sits on 70 acres across the road and uphill from the water, at the lake’s southern tip.

From June through September the place is a summer camp for families, with bible study, daily worship services, and Christian concerts.

There are motel rooms and tent and trailer sites, in addition to the cottages that burned in the fire.

Built in 1863, these were set close together, the norm for the times, but also for the fellowship the center seeks to foster.

"There’s the friendships, there’s the church, I mean, it was all intermingled."

Cynthia Bohy’s parents met here.

She now lives in Alton year-round, after coming to the center each summer for more than 60 years.

"Just great time in the summer after a long winter. As kids we couldn’t wait to get here. Go swimming, and boating. It’s difficult to lose that many people because then you’re not going to see them unless they rebuild. some of my best friends, their places burned up there yesterday. there’s a lot of history here.

"phones ringing, ladies answering, talking to callers… oc: nothing since last time I talked to you."

Residents and concerned Christians have been calling the office here since yesterday, asking questions and offering prayers.

The center’s interim Executive Director Richard Smith says it’s too early to say how much can be re-built.

"We’re just going to move forward, we look back and then we’ll see about rebuilding, depending on what the town, state will allow, then we’ll move forward."

He says that’s what people did back in 1945, after a similar wind-fueled fire swept through Alton and destroyed some 250 cottages.
With this year’s fire falling on Easter Sunday, there’s been some speculation about malintent against this religious community.

Fire officials do not suspect arson, but they have not ruled out any cause.

The only parallel Richard Smith is drawing to the holiday, is its theme of renewal. He says that, plus his faith, will keep him feeling positive about the center’s future.

For NHPR News, I’m SM.