FALL RIVER ─As the three alarm fire at the corner of Rodman Street and South Main Street are still battling the fire that has reportedly reignited around 11 a.m., the city is ordering some of the two damaged buildings to be taken down according because of the massive storm approaching, according to city building inspector Glenn Hathaway.
“Due to the fact we’re going to have potentially high winds from the storm this weekend I am in preparation of taking the upper walls down to the lower walls section at the building at 308 South Main Street. I gave the ok for the crane so its on the way,” said Hathaway at noon on Thursday.
At the time, the fire department was still battling hot spots as winds started picking up in the morning.
“I’m going to have the crane assist in moving some of the trash inside the buildings. I don’t need debris blowing around and hitting somebody,” said Hathaway.
Debris littered the area and the gallons of water used to extinguish the fire could be seen blocks away down Pocasset Street several blocks away leaving ash, burned wood and debris in its wake.
The second severely damaged building next door to 308 Main Street will also likely have its upper floors taken down due to one of the walls being cracked and with the potential to collapse.
“So, we’re going to make that one safe too,” said Hathaway.
When the fire department is cleared from the scene, fencing will be installed around the fire ravaged structures.
Hathaway predicted the work would be done by late Friday; about the time the storm will arrive with coastal communities most likely getting the brunt of it.
The fire is under investigation and arson is a consideration, said Hathawy.
City is owner of 308 Main Street
The city took over ownership of 308 Main Street in May in a tax title taking for outstanding taxes owed by its former owner, Moses Raposa, who recently died, said Matthew Thomas, the city’s real estate attorney.
Luckily, the building is insured and demolishing the structure will be covered, said Thomas.
The city was working on putting the property up for sale and assessed at $500,000, according to Thomas.
The city had evicted the building’s two tenants who still had a presence in the building, a barbershop located on the ground floor on Rodman Street and a resident in the upper floor of the building who is Raposa’s son, Brian Raposa.
The barbershop owner had moved out but still had equipment in the building. In a video posted on Facebook by the Fall River Spotlight page, people were seen pulling out equipment to an awaiting trailer.
Several sources say Raposa was able to escape unharmed, although one Fall River firefighter sustained an injury and treated at the site.
For over a decade the city had been attempting to collect thousands of dollars in back taxes from Raposa, who had lived in the building at one point.
Last October, the city doubled down with the tax title taking effort when Raposa owed the city $600,000 in taxes.
