FALL RIVER ─ The probe into a three-alarm fire that destroyed two South Main Street buildings last Wednesday is still under police investigation, including a possible case of arson.
“We are still investigating and actively participating in interviews. Nothing new to release,” said Fall River Deputy Chief Barden H. Castro.
The city’s building inspector, Glenn Hathaway, ordered a partial demolition of 308 South Main, and 304 South Main Street, as the threat of a large Nor’easter on Saturday loomed.
Wrecking crews worked all Friday night into early Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Jo Goode
On Friday, as flames continued to reignite and smolder at the scene, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said it was too dangerous to allow fire fighters or investigators to enter the severely damaged buildings that were structurally compromised.
Bacon said investigators would be reviewing security cameras in the area as part of the investigation.
The city had just taken over ownership of the destroyed 308 South Main Street on the corner of Rodman Street in a tax title taking.
Joseph Pacheco, who owns an insurance company across the way on Columbia Street, is the owner of 304 South Main Street.
A pawn shop was severely damaged in Pacheco’s property and the barbershop, Level Up, located on Rodman Street, was in the process of moving the business from 308 South Main, but still had equipment and belongings on site.
The son of the building’s former owner, Moses Raposa, who recently passed away, was living in the apartment above the barbershop, and was able to escape unharmed.
The building had been appraised for $500,000 and the city was in the process of putting the building up for sale.
Hathaway’s order for the structures to be partially demolished before the storm included taking the third floor down on a portion of 308 South Main Street on the corner of Rodman Street.
The remainder of the building was completely demolished to assist the fire department in knocking down the fire permanently.
“The reason was because in the rear of that area we had the fire simmering and was underneath the rubble that had collapsed. The only way to get at it was to send in the machine and turn it over and upside down so the fire department could get to it with water,” said Hathaway.
He said the city is in the process of developing a request for proposal to demolish the remainder of 308 South Main Street.
Pacheco’s building, which also had its third-floor demolished Friday night will be working on demolishing the rest of his property, said Hathaway.
