Officials release preliminary investigation after fire destroys two businesses, apartment, near New Bedford line

An early morning weekend fire has left two local businesses and an apartment destroyed.

According to Acushnet Fire & EMS, at approximately 4:10 a.m. on Saturday, multiple 911 calls were received simultaneously by both New Bedford Police Communications and Acushnet Police Communications reporting a structure fire in the area of 7 Tarkiln Hill Rd, which lies on the Town line between Acushnet and New Bedford. Both communities activated a full response of Police, Fire, EMS and EMA. 

First arriving fire crews encountered heavy fire throughout 7 Tarkiln Hill Rd, which houses a hair salon and a small apartment in the rear, with fire beginning to spread to the River’s End Bar next door at 7%1⁄2 Tarkiln Hill Rd. A 2nd alarm was called on arrival and brought in additional Acushnet and New Bedford Fire apparatus and personnel to the scene. Fairhaven Fire responded to the Acushnet Fire Station to provide coverage to the Town. 

The bulk of the heavy fire was extinguished within thirty minutes. Crews then spent the next hour and a half or so to overhaul and wet-down hot spots. The incident is still under investigation, but the preliminary investigation reveals this to be an accidental fire. The Salon and apartment are total losses and the River’s End Bar suffered significant heat, fire and water damage. There was minor exterior heat damage to the multi-family house next door on the west side of the salon building. 

No injuries to civilians or any emergency responders were reported. The American Red Cross is assisting the lone individual displaced from the apartment. 

All crews were fully returned to service by 7:15 a.m.

“I would like to thank the hard-working men and women of the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department, Acushnet Police Department and Emergency Management staff that assisted the owners. This has been an extremely busy few months, between all of the snow and the increase in fire activity (both in town and assisting our mutual aid partners) and the staff has gone above and beyond to perform their jobs and provide a valuable service to the community. I could not be more proud of the men and women of the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department,” Chief Farland reiterated. “I would also like to thank our brothers and sisters from New Bedford Fire, Police and EMA for their joint response to this incident and their hard work to bring this incident to a conclusion with no injuries.”