Last night, a significant blaze consumed a mill on Healey Street in New Bedford, prompting a strong response from various fire departments. According to a post on the official New Bedford Fire Department Facebook page, the fire was reported around 11:30 p.m. following both 911 calls and a triggered fire alarm.
The fire rapidly spread up the exterior of the four-story building and entered the interior, where crews fought flames on every floor, including the rooftop. The situation escalated swiftly, prompting Command Unit 1 to upgrade their initial second alarm request to a general alarm, which calls for additional resources and personnel. Despite the fire's intensity, nearby residences appear to have avoided damage.
The cause of the fire is currently under thorough investigation by the New Bedford Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's office. The scene received assistance from various units, including New Bedford Emergency Management, the New Bedford Police Department, New Bedford EMS, the Special Signal Fire Association/Providence Canteen, and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Notably, despite the chaos of the flames and the response efforts, no injuries were reported.
Mutual aid also arrived from nearby communities, with firefighters and EMS personnel from Acushnet, Fairhaven, and Dartmouth's Fire Districts 1 and 2 joining the effort.
