Basement Fire In New Bedford

Arson is being suspected after a basement fire in New Bedford Sunday night.

North End District Fire Chief Gary Raposa tells WBSM News crews were called to a home on Bentley St. around 6:30 p.m. for a possible basement fire.

Crews arrived to discover heavy smoke but were able to knock the fire down in roughly 15 minutes and were on scene until around 7:45 p.m.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at St. Luke's Hospital.

Raposa says some gas meters melted in the fire, displacing 10-12 residents, and the fire is estimated to have caused between $25,000-$50,000 in damage.

The incident is being investigated as a potential arson case, according to Raposa.