New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“Yesterday morning at 9:42am New Bedford Fire Department Communications received a call from a central station monitoring service reporting an automatic alarm activation at 1168 Acushnet Avenue. No 911 calls were received reporting a fire at this location.
Engine 8 arrived, reported smoke showing, and confirmed a structure fire. Command Unit 1, Acting District Brandon Silva, arrived minutes later and called for a second alarm response.
Crews from Engine 7 and 8 stretched multiple handlines including the wye to the third and fourth floors. They reported fire in the rear stairwell, fourth floor, and the attic. Crews from Ladder 1 and 4 performed vertical ventilation simultaneously.
This apartment building contains twenty-six living units. Command was unable to account for twelve occupants on the primary search which necessitated a third alram response. Six engines and three ladder companies conducted search, rescue, and suppression operations. The Fairhaven Fire Department responded to the scene with an engine company for the rapid intervention crew. Mutual aid coverage was provided by Dartmouth Fire Districts 1 and 3, Acushnet, Mattapoisett, and Fairhaven Fire Departments.
All of the tenants except one were accounted for. That tenant was determined to have not been in the building at the time of the fire. Two dogs were also rescued from the building by fire crews. One dog required medical attention on scene which was provided by Animal Control. No civilians or firefighters were injured.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be accidental. The fire originated as the result of unattended cooking in a fourth floor apartment.
Twenty-six tenants are displaced as a result of the fire. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, NB Emergency Management Agency, and the Fire Prevention Bureau. One engine company remained on scene throughout the afternoon assisting tenants retrieving their valuables from the apartments. NBPD and NBEMS also provided assistance on scene.” -New Bedford Fire Department.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
Retired Lt. Gary Brown photo.
