A New Bedford man suffered serious burns after a reported explosion and fire at the Parkdale Housing Development in the West End of New Bedford Sunday afternoon.

The explosion was reported at 117 Summit Street at 12:15pm. The apartment is on the second floor of the building. Fire Chief Michael Gomes tells WBSM News upon arrival, there were a substantial amount of flames coming from the second story. Firefighters found the windows of the apartment blown out, lying on the lawn. The fire was quickly brought under control.

The lone occupant of the apartment, a 56-year-old man, suffered serious burns to his face. He has been transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

Chief Gomes says the reported explosion and fire originated in a room at the southeast side of the apartment. Gomes says it's not known what the room was being used for at the time. "It looks like there's a lot of tools and uses other than residential in that space," said Gomes.

Eversource responded to the scene, turning off gas service to four apartments in the development. Those families are being displaced because of the service interruption.

Chief Gomes says it's not known what exactly caused the fire. The New Bedford Fire Department, State Fire Marshal's Office, and Eversource are working to determine the cause.

 

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