They are commemorating a historic fire that occurred in Fall River.
The Kerr Mill in Fall River caught fire at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 1987, 38 years ago.
Last year, the Westport Fire Department published pictures they found in its archive area.
Firefighters from Westport and other nearby communities, in addition to Fall River, fought the fire for countless hours.
The Westport Fire Department provided the image.
The Kerr Mill Complex was a commercial and manufacturing facility built in the late 1800s, according to T.J. Russo Consultants, who were hired to identify the fire’s origin and cause as well as to analyze how the fire progressed. The expansive facility was completely destroyed by a major fire that also caused losses exceeding $50 million. Eight historic buildings were destroyed when the Thread Mill’s boiler room caught fire. Residents within a mile of the fire were ordered to evacuate, and it was visible from more than thirty miles away.
Martine Street in the Kerr Mill Complex was a bargain department store where you could purchase nearly anything. While navigating the several aisles of merchandise, some of us are still able to recall the distinct scent and scenery.
The fire caused almost 900 workers to lose their employment.
The Meditech building and the UMass Dartmouth ATMC facility are currently located on the site.
