Five Residents Rescued in Early-Morning Taunton Apartment Fire

TAUNTON (WBSM) — Five people were rescued from a fire at a Taunton apartment building early this morning.

Taunton Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne said that a 911 call came in at about 2:30 a.m. reporting a fire at 8 Hopkins Road, part of the Taunton Gardens apartment complex. Taunton Police arrived on the scene first and reported fire showing. They began helping residents evacuate the building.

Freezing Temperatures Added to the Danger

Firefighters arrived and began battling both the blaze and the single-digit temperatures. A second alarm was struck, calling for additional resources at the scene. Firefighters entered the building to attack the fire, and ladder crews began rescuing residents. Five people were rescued, including a family of three with a small child.

Lavigne said the building did not have sprinklers, but residents were awoken by a fully-functioning alarm system.

Get our free mobile app

Hospitalizations and Injuries Reported

All of the residents were accounted for following the rescue effort. Four of the rescued residents were taken to area hospitals for smoke inhalation, and one had suffered a hand injury. No firefighters were injured.

Displaced Residents Receiving Emergency Assistance

Fifteen residents were displaced and are receiving assistance from the City of Taunton, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

Investigators Work to Confirm the Fire’s Cause

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department and Taunton Police, but Lavigne said the initial investigation indicates the fire started in one of the apartments and spread via interior walls up to the roof, causing significant damage.

"This was an aggressive fire, and the severe cold creates an additional challenge for rescuers, but our Taunton firefighters, police officers and mutual aid partners did tremendous work this morning, stopping the fire and rescuing multiple residents," Chief Lavigne said. "Our hearts go out to all the residents who cannot go back into their homes, but we know that they are receiving an outpouring of support today."