Urgent Help for Windham Restaurant Employees

Support Windham Restaurant Staff After Devastating Fire

On April 22nd, a fire severely damaged the beloved Windham Restaurant, leaving its future uncertain. While the community waits to learn what’s next for the building, one thing is certain—the dedicated staff are now without work, and they need our support.

Owners Sahal and Karolyn Laher and Nick Amlaw are devastated by this tragedy, but their greatest concern is for their incredible team of employees, who now face an indefinite period without income. This GoFundMe is being created to provide direct financial assistance to those affected, helping them cover basic needs, bills, and any unexpected expenses during this uncertain time.

Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly to the staff who have been the heart and soul of Windham Restaurant. Let’s come together as a community and show them the same care and support they’ve always shown us.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

MEDIA RELEASE

INCIDENT DATE: Wednesday April 23, 2025

INCIDENT TIME: 00:58AM

INCIDENT LOCATION: THE WINDHAM RESTAURANT, #59 RANGE ROAD

INCIDENT TYPE: BUILDING FIRE

PREPARED BY: CHIEF THOMAS MCPHERSON JR.

On Wednesday morning at 00:58am, the Derry Fire Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from the buildings Alarm Company reporting a Fire Alarm activation at #59 Range Rd, The Windham Restaurant. As that call was being received, employees of McDonald’s across the street also called reporting that the restaurant across the street was on fire.

Windham C-2 (Asst. Chief Brady), along with Windham Ladder-1, (Lt. Tim Dunn, Lt. Ralph DeMarco, FF. Z. Zins, FF N. Bahan), Tanker-2 (FF. B. Tangney, FF. T. Fournier), and Windham C-1 (Chief McPherson) responded.

At 1:02am, Windham Police Officers arrived on scene and reported heavy fire in the rear of the building and based on that information, Windham C-2 requested the working fire assignment. The working Fire assignment brought mutual aid from Salem, Derry, Londonderry, Pelham.

Windham C-2 arrived on scene and reported heavy fire located at the back of the building and immediately requested a 2nd alarm assignment. This brought additional mutual aid in from Nashua, Hampstead, Hudson. The Southeastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid District Rehab Unit was also requested to the scene. Methuen and Atkinson provided station coverage.

As Ladder-1 arrived, they immediately stretched handlines to the back of the building and deployed the ladder to the roof. Tanker-2 established a water supply utilizing the hydrants located across the street and then assisted with fire attack.

Incoming mutual aid companies assisted with additional hose line placement, ventilation operations and air monitoring. The fire was mostly concentrated within the kitchen area, including the kitchen’s walk-in freezer. There was heavy fire damage to the exterior of the building.

Fire crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to the main portion of the building including its newly renovated area for entertainment. The majority of the building suffered smoke and light water damage.

No one was in the building at the time of the fire and there were no injuries reported.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and will be conducting the investigation to determine origin and cause