New Bedford Fire Department responds to structure fire with tenants trapped inside

“Yesterday morning at 7:16am, 911 calls were received reporting a fire at 108 Tremont Street. A 911 call was received from tenants stating they were trapped in the third floor apartment where the fire originated.

Command Unit 2, District Chief Scott Gomes, arrived first and confirmed that three tenants were trapped on the third floor. He was able to make his way up the rear stairs to the third floor and bring an elderly about male to safety. Ladder 1 & 3 were able to rescue an adult male who had made his way out of a third floor front window onto a small section of flat roof on the third. The male was rescued over Ladder 1’s aerial ladder.

Members of Engine 1 and Ladder 1 rescued a wheelchair bound elderly female from inside the third floor apartment and carry her down the rear stairs. She was transferred to NBEMS Paramedics, treated at the scene, stabilized at St. Luke’s Emergency Department, and transfered to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center in serious condition.

The rescue of the elderly female occurred under high heat conditions, as hose lines were being advanced to the third floor. Lt. Steven Torres was able to shield the elderly victim with his protective gear during the rescue. His Globe structural firefighting gear and MSA SCBA continued to function as designed throughout the rescue under extreme fire conditions.

Six residents of this three-family dwelling have been displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit along with the MA Fire Marshals Office. The cause remains inder investigation.

The NBFD received assistance from NBEMA, NBEMS, NBPD, and the Providence Canteen. Engines 1, 6, 7, 8, Ladders 1 and 3, long with Command Units 1 and 2 responded to the scene and extinguished the fire within thirty minutes.

The NBFD commends Lt. Torres along with all our members who responded to this fire as well as the fire that occurred on Saturday October 1 where two residents were rescued over a ground ladder from a third floor roof.” -New Bedford Fire Department.

Video by Carlos Pimental Felix:

All photos by Manny Fernandes: