New Bedford Fire Department

08/26/2026

Join the New Bedford Fire Department for a FREE Car Seat Check!

Properly installed car seats play an important role in keeping children safe while traveling. Stop by the Christian Fellowship Center, 822 Church Street in New Bedford, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and have your child’s car seat checked by trained installers from the New Bedford Fire Department and New Bedford Health Department.

Sparky the Fire Dog will also be joining us!

For additional details, please see the flyer.

08/24/2026

New Bedford Fire Department Responds to Tier 2 Ammonia Leak

At approximately 4:21 a.m., the New Bedford Fire Department received an alarm notification from a fire alarm monitoring company reporting ammonia system alarms at 12 Fish Island, a waterfront cold-storage facility with numerous potential hazards.

Engine 1, Engine 6, Ladder 1, Unit 2, Hazmat 1, Inspector 2, and Chief 2 responded. Upon arrival, Unit 2 detected positive readings for ammonia and requested assistance from the Massachusetts State Hazmat Team, EMS, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Health, and the Providence Canteen.

The incident was quickly escalated to a Tier 2 active ammonia leak, and the facility was evacuated. Three employees were inside the structure at the time.

The Massachusetts State Hazmat Team made multiple entries into the building to locate and secure the leak, with assistance from New Bedford Fire Department crews. Firefighters deployed a hose line and multiple fans to support decontamination and ventilation operations while maintaining a Rapid Intervention Team.

New Bedford firefighters also assisted by providing access to areas of the facility, including the roof and other difficult-to-access locations.

There were no injuries reported.

This incident highlights the importance of coordinated response between local, state, and environmental agencies when dealing with hazardous materials emergencies. We thank all responding personnel and agencies for their professionalism, teamwork, and dedication in safely managing this incident.

08/24/2026

Structural Collapse -23 West Rodney French Blvd

At approximately 0601 hours, Ladder 3, Engine 6 and Engine 7 responded to 23 West Rodney French Boulevard, Discount liquors for a reported structural collapse.
Upon arrival, crews found that a wooden awning approximately 75 feet in length had pulled away from the main structure and collapsed onto the sidewalk, creating a hazardous condition.

No injuries were reported. The crew of a L3 & E6 secured the electrical service to the affected area.

Caution tape placed around the area to establish and secure hazard zone.

Police remained on scene pending the arrival of the building department.

08/22/2026

Calling all veterans, first responders, and active service members!

See Bill Murray’s 1981 film Stripes at The Zeiterion for FREE with the code AMERICANS.

Get your tickets at zeiterion.org/stripes

08/20/2026

Working House Fire – 507 S. Second Street

Just before midnight, New Bedford firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 507 S. Second Street, a 2½-story multi-family home.

Engine 6 arrived first and confirmed a working fire in the rear hallway that had extended into the attic apartment and through the roof. Multiple hose lines were deployed, and crews quickly brought the fire under control.

Crews remained on scene for nearly three hours overhauling the stubborn fire within the attic and along the roof. Limited aerial access added to the challenge, and Engine 8 was brought in for additional manpower.

The initial response included Engines 6, 1 and 7, Ladders 3 and 4, and Command Units 1 and 2.

Working smoke alarms alerted the occupants, allowing everyone to safely escape before firefighters arrived.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the New Bedford Fire Department Fire Investigation Division.

No injuries were reported at the time of the incident. Three adults and one child were displaced by the incident.

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

Sunday night at approximately 10:45, the New Bedford Fire Department received multiple calls for a reported boat fire at Popes Island Marina. Engines 1,6,7 and 8 along with Ladders 1,3, Command Units 1 and 2 were dispatched. Marine 38 cross staffed by members of E-1, L1, and E8, was also dispatched.

While enroute it was reported by Fairhaven Fire that the incident was on Crow Island, inside of the New Bedford Harbor. The response was reduced to Unit2, Marine 38, E-1 and L1 for mutual aid assisting Fairhaven with suppression efforts on the island.

Crews from both agencies worked diligently at preventing the spread of fire to the other structures on island.

No injuries were reported at the time of the incident and the cause remains under investigation with the Fairhaven Fire Department.

***Additionally***
While crews were still actively engaged at the Crow Island fire, NBFD crews were dispatched to 32 Ashley St for an odor of smoke in a bathroom. Upon arrival crews confirmed the reports. While investigating the source crews were told the bathroom fan was on prior to a loss of power in part of the apartment. Further investigation found charring on ceiling joists but luckily no visible fire at the time.

NB Fire Investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause. No injuries were reported during the incident.

08/17/2026

On Wednesday August 12,2026 at 11:40pm, the New Bedford afire Department responded to calls for a fire next to a structure. On arrival the crew of Engine 6 found a moped fully involved that had extended to 3 nearby trees and other vegetation.

Crews quickly deployed hose lines to knock down the spreading fire, before it could extend to any structures.

The moped had just recently been fueled up and modifications to the battery had been made.

Ladder 3, Engine 1 and Command Unit 2 also responded to the incident and assisted with overhaul, investigation and securing a water supply.

No injuries were reported.