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A 31-apartment building located at 1305 Acushnet Avenue caught fire at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, according to the New Bedford Fire Department.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to see heavy smoke and fire, some residents standing in windows waiting for rescue, and others jumping out to escape the blaze.
Multiple occupants were rescued by firefighters, including one pet dog. Five of the occupants were transferred to St. Luke's Emergency Department, two of whom were in critical condition. One of the critical condition victims was transferred to Rhode Island Hospital for additional care.
Firefighters removed one deceased male victim, who was identified as 59-year-old Manuel Moreira. Moreira was a resident of the four-story rooming house.
A second victim, who has not yet been identified, was recovered from the scene of the deadly fire the day after it broke out, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Investigators used heavy equipment to he body was discovered
“On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Moreira’s family and loved ones,” said New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger. “It was deeply important to all of us at the scene that we recover him with respect and dignity as soon as it was possible to do so.”
The mother of one of the building's occupants created a GoFundMe to help her son recover from the devastating fire.
"He lost everything that he owned in the fire," wrote Sonya Kemp, a resident's mother. "He does not know the next step in replacing all he lost and finding a new place to live."
Conditions in the burning building continued to deteriorate rapidly after firefighters rescued many of the residents. The stairways became unstable, and fire crews working inside the building were removed and firefighters instead began a defensive fire attack.
Two alarms were initiated for the fire, followed by a general alarm which called additional materials and firefighters from surrounding communities to the scene.
Mutual aid was provided by the following communities:
- Dartmouth
- Fairhaven
- Acushnet
- Westport
- Brewster
- Wareham
- Marion
- Lakeville
- Freetown
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and the Providence Canteen provided rehab services. At least two dozen occupants were assisted by the American Red Cross and NBEMA. A temporary shelter for victim services was created at Seven Hills on Acushnet Avenue.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The GoFundMe created for one of the residents can be found here.
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