One person dead in New Bedford house fire on Chestnut St.
NEW BEDFORD — An elderly man has died as a result of a fire Thursday afternoon at 260 Chestnut St. in the city's West End that also resulted in three others being hospitalized.
The fire appears to have started on the second floor of the single-family home at the corner of Chestnut and Robeson streets at 1:40 p.m. The Fire Department was alerted to the fire by 911 calls, according to fire officials.
Upon arrival, crews found a fire heavily involved in the second floor. Engines 1, 7, 8, Ladders 1 and 4, made entry into the building through the windows on Robeson Street and also by an interior stairway. Upstairs, the crews rescued two elderly residents, a man and woman, who were trapped in a bedroom. They were both transported to St. Luke's Hospital where the man was pronounced dead. At last update from fire officials, the woman was in critical condition.
Two other adults were able to escape. New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger on Thursday told reporters a total of four people were transported to St. Luke's Hospital, including the deceased, two said to be in critical condition, and one in serious condition.
Kruger confirmed the smoke alarms in the house were functioning properly at the time, and said they were what first alerted the occupants of the fire. Kruger also said firefighters found an open dog crate in the house, but hadn't yet located a pet.
According to a press release from the New Bedford Fire Department, the American Red Cross of Massachusetts assisted five displaced residents.
A look back at the March 28 fire: Officials release cause of deadly New Bedford rooming house fire. Here's where it started
Mayor Mitchell on scene of deadly New Bedford house fire
"This is happening entirely too often," said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell at the scene Thursday. "The fire department did another fantastic job responding to this fire. ... It is pretty evident that their quick response did make a difference here."
Mitchell also commended New Bedford police, EMS, and New Bedford Emergency Management. The Fire Department later added that the Special Signal Fire Association/Providence Canteen also responded to the scene.
Officials weigh in: Did New Bedford drop the ball on fire code enforcement of rooming house?
Fire marshal: Have a home escape plan
“We don’t yet know exactly how this fire started, but we do know that most fire deaths take place at home,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “In addition to working smoke alarms, every household should have a home escape plan. Create a plan that includes two ways out, and practice both of them so you know what to do and where to go in an emergency. Remember that older adults face the greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire and may need assistance getting out quickly.”
What to do in a fire: These lesser known fire safety tips could help save your life
Cause of Chestnut Street fire under investigation
The fire does not appear suspicious, but the exact origin and cause are under investigation by the New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Police Department, the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.
New Bedford rooming house fire kills two
The Chestnut Street fire was the second deadly fire in less than a month. On March 28, a fire that destroyed a rooming house at 1301-1307 Acushnet Ave. resulted in two deaths.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford house fire kills one, three others injured
