Officials release name, more details, concerning fatal New Bedford fire that also injured 4 others

NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford house fire that claimed one resident’s life and injured four others yesterday appears accidental but remains under investigation, said New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

District Attorney Quinn’s office identified the victim as 88-year-old Alfred Martin of New Bedford.

“On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Martin’s family,” said Chief Kruger. “Our thoughts are with them, and also with the residents who lost their home. This is a terrible loss for them and the community.”

The New Bedford Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at 24 Cotter Street shortly after 1:00 yesterday afternoon. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire coming from the two-family home. Firefighters rescued one person using a ladder to the second floor, while three others escaped on their own: these four residents were transported to area hospitals for medical care. Martin was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death.

Two pets were also rescued.

The fire went to two alarms and caused catastrophic damage to the building. Firefighters brought it under control in about an hour and a half.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office. Preliminarily, the fire does not appear suspicious. Investigators determined that the fire began near a couch in the first floor living room near the front left of the home. They found smoking materials and an electrical outlet in this area but have not reached a determination as to the exact cause.

Monday’s fire marked the first Massachusetts fire death of 2025, State Fire Marshal Davine said. In 2024, smoking was the leading cause of residential fire fatalities in Massachusetts.

New Bedford EMS, the New Bedford Emergency Management Agency, New Bedford Department of Public Works, and Providence Canteen provided support at the scene.