NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) – Two New Bedford firefighters fell partly through a floor while working inside a home early Christmas morning.
The call for the fire came in at about 12:30 a.m. in a multi-family home at 470 Summer Street. Firefighters encountered heavy fire on the third floor. The residents of that third-floor apartment, who were initially thought to be trapped, got out safely on their own.
While working inside, a firefighter fell into a hole in the floor and got stuck at his waist; other firefighters pulled him out of the hole but a second then fell in and was similarly stuck. Neither firefighter was hurt.
Fire officials said six or eight people lived in the building; most of them were able to go somewhere else for the night but the Red Cross assisted two who could not.
Officials said that the building isn’t a total loss and the residents should be able to return after repairs are made. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
