UPDATE: The victim in the fire was identified as Alfred Martin, 88. The fire remains under investigation but has been determined to have been accidental in nature.

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A fire in New Bedford’s Near North End this afternoon claimed the life of one person and sent four others to the hospital.

Firefighters responded to 24 Cotter Street following a call that came in just after 1 p.m. Crews arrived to find heavy fire on the first floor that had extended into the second floor.

As seen in this video provided to WBSM, the home is located behind the fence for The End Zone restaurant on Coggeshall Street.

Multiple outlets have reported that one person was found deceased on the first floor, while another person was rescued from the second floor. Several others were outside in need of medical care.

The identity of the deceased individual has not yet been released.

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Four of the residents were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and other injuries, according to WPRI, which also reported no firefighters were hurt despite the cold and icy conditions while battling the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but Fire Chief Scott Kruger told reporters he believes the home is a total loss.

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