Name of deceased released in fatal fire at Fall River Housing Complex

The deceased victim from this morning’s car crash that apparently set off a fire at a Fall River apartment complex has been positively identified as Judith Mauretti, 72, of Fall River.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Mauretti was driving a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix shortly before 9:40 this morning, when it crashed into Building 15 at the Four Winds Apartments on North Main Street.

A 75-year-old Fall River woman who was a passenger in the vehicle remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

Police and fire officials continue to investigate the fatal car crash and the ensuing apartment fire in Fall River this morning.

Fall River Police received 911 calls around 9:40 a.m. today to report that a vehicle crashed into the Four Winds Apartments at 5500 North Main Street. The one car crash appears to have set off a fire at the apartment complex.

When rescue personnel arrived, they located Mauretti deceased inside the vehicle. The second victim was pulled from the burning car by rescue officials and rushed to Rhode Island Hospital.

According to Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch, the vehicle crashed and hit a gas line in the maintenance room causing the 6 alarm fire. Witnesses stated that the car was going at a high rate of speed. Seven firefighters were transported to the hospital with heat related conditions, but appear to be ok. Lynch estimated that eighty residents have been displaced. One pet has been revived and seven total have been recovered. There was no sprinkler system in the building. Crews will be on scene for some time and more than 100 firefighters responded to the call according to Lynch.

Fall River Fire officials, with the assistance of other area fire departments, were able to extinguish the fire at the apartment complex although the building did sustain extensive damage from the blaze including the roof collapsing. At this time, it appears that no occupants of the apartment building were injured during the incident. However, fire officials are still clearing the scene at this time.