South Coast inferno that killed two pets and sent one to a trauma center leaves residence destroyed

A South Coast fire has claimed the lives of multiple pets and resulted in a woman being rushed to a local trauma center.

According to the fire department, at just after 9:30 a.m. on Friday, the Acushnet Fire & Police Departments responded to 40 Rock Street for a report of a structure fire.

On arrival, first responders located a two- and one-half story wood-framed residence with a very large volume of fire coming from the front door and windows, left side and rear of the house. First arriving police officers were able to escort the lone occupant of the residence to a safe area with one of her dogs.

The lone occupant at the time of the fire, a 40-year-old female was then treated by Acushnet Fire & EMS personnel and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. She has since been transferred to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment as a precaution.

The fire took just over one hour to bring under control. Crews remained on scene for several hours performing overhaul operations and chasing hot spots. Acushnet crews were assisted on scene by Fairhaven Fire & EMS, New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford EMS, Acushnet Office of Emergency Management, New Bedford Emergency Management, Providence Canteen and Rochester Fire Department. Mattapoisett Fire Department covered Fire Station #1.

Once the fire was fully extinguished, crews were able to recover one dog and one cat that perished in the fire.

The investigation was performed by Massachusetts State Police Troopers assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit at the Massachusetts Fire Marshall’s Office. The incident is still under investigation, but the preliminary investigation reveals this to be an accidental fire.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family in the aftermath of the fire.

All crews were fully returned to service by 4pm.