New Bedford Families Displaced by Christmas Fire

NEW BEDFORD — A Christmas morning fire in New Bedford's North End has displaced eight people, including four children.

Temperatures were in the teens on a frigid morning when 911 calls and alarms alerting dispatchers to smoke in the 311 Coffin Ave. building came in at 6:21 a.m. on Sunday, according to the city's fire department.

Tenants reported smoke on the third floor of the six-family residence when firefighters arrived.

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Crews from Engine 8 confirmed that there was smoke in a hallway on the northern side of the three-story building.

Firefighters found "significant smoke" conditions on the second and third floors, with flames found in the second floor bathroom, according to the department's release.

A hose was brought up the stairwell to combat the blaze.

Crews put out the fire with no injuries reported, but damage to the second floor east-side apartment and the unit below displaced the residents, including four kids.

The families are being helped by the American Red Cross.

According to the New Bedford Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit, the cause of the fire was accidental.