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The cause of a fire that decimated an apartment building located on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford on Tuesday, March 28 has been determined to be an accident involving either a microwave or the wall outlet the microwave was plugged into, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
Read more: Second Victim ID'd, 5 Hospitalized In Fatal New Bedford Fire
The fire started in room 205, located to the back left of the building's second floor, an investigation revealed. All potential causes were ruled out except for a microwave-related event in that room.
The fire displaced all residents of the building, which contained 31 apartments. Five people were hospitalized, and two died from the fire. One of the victims was identified as 59-year-old Manuel Moreira. The second victim has not yet been identified.
A general alarm brought dozens of firefighters from nearby communities to help extinguish the fire and check for hot spots in the following hours.
"This was a tragic event, but it could have been much worse without the assistance of our public safety partners and our community," said New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger.
Electrical fires are the second-leading cause residential fires that result in deaths, according to State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey.
“Appliances that generate heat, like microwaves and toasters, should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet," Ostroskey said. Don’t use them if the device or the cord is damaged. And call an electrician if outlets are warm, discolored, or loose – these are signs that the outlet is not safe to use.”
The investigation into the deadly fire was carried out by the following organizations
- New Bedford Fire Department
- New Bedford Police Department
- State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office
- State Police assigned to the Bristol District Attorney’s office
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