Fire that killed 2 at New Bedford boarding house ruled accidental
NEW BEDFORD - A fire that killed two people at a boarding house in New Bedford on Tuesday has been ruled accidental.
The state fire marshal said the fire started in a room on the second floor of the building on Acushnet Avenue. Investigators determined it was sparked either by a microwave or a wall outlet it was plugged into. Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said the microwave was used shortly before the fire started.
"Electrical fires are the second-leading cause of residential fire deaths in Massachusetts," Ostroskey said in a statement Friday. "Appliances that generate heat, like microwaves and toasters, should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Don't use them if the device or the cord is damaged. And call an electrician if outlets are warm, discolored, or loose – these are signs that the outlet is not safe to use."
The two victims have been identified as 59-year-old Manuel Moreira and 63-year-old Wayne Bourdon. Five people were also hospitalized, some with serious injuries. The building was destroyed and the Red Cross is helping residents find new places to live.
The City of New Bedford and non-profit partners, such as the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford, announced on Friday that Rise Up for Homes will be the official relief fund for those impacted by Tuesday's fire.
For more information, visit the Rise Up for Homes website.