New Bedford Firefighter Injured in Two-Alarm Transfer Station Fire

NEW BEDFORD — A two-alarm fire at a New Bedford transfer station caused injury to one firefighter and left crews battling the blaze for hours on Tuesday.

The city's fire department stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning that fire crews responded to 1105 Shawmut Ave. at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for a reported structure fire at the transfer station building.

Command Unit 1 arrived first and reported fire in large trash piles along the building were already "well involved" with flames and smoke, which caught combustible components of the structure.

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A second alarm was called shortly after crews arrived, according to the post, with long reverse and forward hose lays needed for enough water to put out the blaze.

One firefighter was injured and treated at the scene, the post noted.

Four of the department's newest firefighters were also on duty for the fire after being sworn in on Friday.

Once firefighters extinguished the main body of fire, they brought in heavy equipment to help put out the fire in the refuse piles.

Crews stayed on scene through the night to finish extinguishing the blaze.

Details on the extent of the damage to the building have not been released.

Fairhaven Fire Department and Dartmouth Fire Districts 1 and 3 provided mutual aid coverage, according to the post, with Fairhaven's Ladder 1 responding to assist at the scene and supplying additional breathing air for New Bedford fire crews.

New Bedford police, EMS, EMA, the State Fire Marshals Office, Providence Canteen, and New Bedford Department of Public Infrastructure and Department of Facilities and Fleet Management also provided on-scene assistance.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.