New Bedford Mill 'Explosion' and Fire Set Off By Heat Gun

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford firefighters responded to a possible mill explosion at 46 Harbor St. Thursday morning.

At approximately 9:55 a.m., arriving crews reported that the sprinkler system was flowing and there was smoke on the first floor of the 136-year-old mill.

The fire department says the fire originated in the office space of a machine shop on the first floor and was contained by one sprinkler head.

Firefighters checked for hot spots, ventilated the building, and restored the sprinkler system.

Fire crews said the mill building is three stories tall, measuring over 900 feet long and 100 feet wide.

New Bedford Fire Department Facebook

The New Bedford Fire Investigation Unit determined the cause to be a heat gun left too close to combustibles.

No injuries were reported.

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