One Hospitalized as Three Rescued from New Bedford Fire

NEW BEDFORD — Three people were rescued from a burning third floor apartment in a New Bedford fire on Monday morning — but one elderly woman has been hospitalized with serious injuries.

New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger said the elderly woman, who is wheelchair-bound, is in "serious condition," and was being taken by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital.

Kruger said fire crews were sent to the scene at 108 Tremont St. after residents trapped inside the building called 911 at around 7:16 a.m. Monday.

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One person was rescued from a rear hallway after District Fire Chief Scott Gomes went up the back stairway and found them, according to the fire chief.

A man was rescued from a third floor window with a ladder truck.

And the elderly woman was found trapped in a room on the third floor, according to Kruger.

All of those rescued were on the third floor.

The fire chief said the second floor apartment was unoccupied at the time, and residents on the first floor were able to evacuate before crews arrived.

Four engines and two ladder companies — a total of 24 firefighters and two district chiefs — responded to the blaze.

Kruger said the fire started on the third floor. Firefighters were able to put out the flames within half an hour.

sIX people have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the department's fire investigation unit and state police working at the state fire marshal's office.