ACUSHNET Early on Christmas morning, a fire in a multi-family home killed two elderly people, injured another, and forced all other residents to leave, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland, Acushnet Police Chief Thomas Carreau, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.
Chief Farland remarked, “I want to offer the Acushnet Fire Department’s sincere condolences to the victims’ family and loved ones.” They and our community are having a very sad day.
At at 1:50 this am, the Acushnet Police and Fire Department responded to several 9-1-1 calls at 34 Garfield St. When firefighters arrived, they saw a lot of smoke and flames and discovered that three persons were missing. A neighbor who noticed the fire beat on the door of one person, allowing him to escape safely. Later, it was discovered that another resident was abroad.
Firefighters started battling the fire right away, causing significant structural damage to the two-and-a-half-story house as well as the partial collapse of the roof. When they entered, they discovered two residents dead. After battling the fire for approximately an hour, firefighters managed to contain it. Although one firefighter was sent for assessment, they should recover.
According to preliminary estimates, the victims are a woman and a man in their 80s. A formal identification process will be carried out by the Chief Medical Examiner’s office, which will also ascertain the cause and manner of their deaths.
The Acushnet Police Department, Acushnet Fire Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police attached to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office are all investigating the cause and origin of the fire. The Department of Fire Services Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit helps them.
Investigators indicated that when first responders and witnesses arrived, they did not hear smoke alarms going off.
“At this time of such a terrible loss, our hearts are with the family,” State Fire Marshal Davine stated. Too many catastrophes have occurred this year. Please, if you do one thing today, talk to the people you care about and be sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes.
The Fairhaven Fire Department provided mutual aid along with Mattapoisett EMS, and Providence Canteen supported personnel at the scene.
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