Officials release cause of deadly New Bedford rooming house fire. Here's where it started
NEW BEDFORD — This week's deadly rooming house fire was apparently started by a microwave or the wall outlet it was plugged into.
Investigators were able to rule out all potential causes except an accidental event involving a microwave in a second-floor apartment or the wall outlet it was plugged into, according to a press release. The microwave had been in use a short time before the fire broke out.
The release was issued by New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger, New Bedford Police Chief Paul J. Oliveira, State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
The fire was investigated by the New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Police Department, State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and state police assigned to the Bristol District Attorney’s office. Collectively, they determined that the fire started in Room 205, located at the left rear of the second floor.
“Our thoughts are still with the families who lost loved ones, the residents who were injured, and those who lost all their belongings," said Kruger. “I’d like to express my deep appreciation to the New Bedford firefighters and mutual aid departments who put everything they had into containing this fire and protecting the surrounding structures. This was a tragic event, but it could have been much worse without the assistance of our public safety partners and our community.”
Fire claimed two victims
All residents of the four-story rooming house were displaced by the fire. Two victims were recovered from the structure with fatal injuries. Quinn identified the first victim as 59-year-old Manuel Moreira. On Friday, Quinn's office identified the second victim as Wayne Bourdon, 63. Five were hospitalized.
“Electrical fires are the second-leading cause of residential fire deaths in Massachusetts,” said state Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Appliances that generate heat, like microwaves and toasters, should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet. 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 New Bedford Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at 1305 Acushnet Ave. at about 3:15 p.m. on March 28. On arrival, they observed heavy smoke and flames and occupants hanging from the windows and jumping from the building to escape the danger inside. Firefighters immediately began conducting rescues over ground ladders and five people were transported from the scene for medical care.
A general alarm was declared, bringing all New Bedford apparatus and off-duty personnel to the scene along with dozens of firefighters from surrounding communities. The building was well involved before firefighters arrived, and it sustained catastrophic damage, but firefighters were successful in keeping the blaze from extending to several nearby homes and businesses. The fire was under control by about 6 p.m. but firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots for hours afterward and crews remained on scene overnight.
The fire departments of Acushnet, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven provided mutual aid at the scene. Ambulances from Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Wareham, and Westport supported New Bedford EMS with patient transport and care.
How to help residents of New Bedford rooming house fire
An official fund has been created to help the residents who lost so much.
The city of New Bedford along with nonprofit partners including the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford have announced Rise Up For Homes as the official relief fund for individuals displaced by Tuesday’s rooming house fire on Acushnet Avenue.
“The fire has abruptly displaced dozens of residents and turned their lives upside down,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said Friday. “I appreciate the partnership of the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford and all of the partners involved in Rise Up For Homes to help meet the challenge.”
What is Rise Up for Homes?
Rise Up For Homes is a collaborative campaign established by the City of New Bedford’s Homeless Service Providers Network (HSPN). The Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford, a nonprofit 501(c)3, serves as the fiscal conduit of the funds.
To donate, checks made out to Rise Up For Homes can be dropped off or mailed to the Inter-Church Council, 128 Union Street, Suite 100, New Bedford, MA 02740. The Inter-Church Council can be reached at 508-993-6242.
To donate online, visit https://riseupforhomes.com/donate.
Organizations helping displaced residents
The Red Cross, Salvation Army and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are among the group supporting local efforts.
The Salvation Army in New Bedford, for example, has been meeting with fire survivors all week to determine immediate needs and provide emotional and spiritual care.
To support The Salvation Army’s ongoing New Bedford fire response efforts, 100% of donations made at www.salvationarmyma.org/eds with a note in comment section saying “New Bedford Fire” will go toward helping survivors.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Cause of New Bedford rooming house fire believe started by microwave
