A somber Christmas in Acushnet as an early morning fire resulted in the deaths of two elderly residents, leaving one other injured and several others without a home. The blaze was reported around 1:50 a.m. at a multi-family residence on 34 Garfield St., according to a joint statement from local officials, including Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland and Police Chief Thomas Carreau. "This is a heartbreaking day for them and our community," Chief Farland remarked, extending sympathies to the families impacted by the tragedy, as reported by the Department of Fire Services.
The Acushnet Fire Department, police, and multiple other agencies responded to the scene following several 9-1-1 calls. Firefighters were met with heavy flames and a partial roof collapse upon their arrival. During the rescue efforts, they discovered two deceased individuals believed to be in their 80s, with one adult escaping the flames thanks to a neighbor's alertness. Another resident, later found to be out of country, was initially unaccounted for. "We've seen too many tragedies this year," State Fire Marshal Jon Davine stated, as noted by the Department of Fire Services.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by local and state authorities. The challenges faced by the firefighters were exacerbated by the structural damages, which included the partial roof collapse and major damage to the two-story home. Despite these hurdles, crews managed to control the fire after about an hour of intensive firefighting.
Initial reports from witnesses and first responders indicated an absence of smoke alarm soundings, a critical factor that the State Fire Marshal's office will likely scrutinize during their investigation. The importance of functioning smoke alarms was emphasized by Fire Marshal Davine, who urged the community to ensure they have working devices on every level of their homes. Support at the scene was provided by the Fairhaven Fire Department along with Mattapoisett EMS and the Providence Canteen, who ensured the welfare of personnel battling the blaze.
