South End Fire Injures One in New Bedford

New Bedford firefighters made quick work of a house fire Friday afternoon.

The call came in at 1:15pm of a third floor fire at 13 Abbott Street in the South End. Firefighters cleared the home of all tenants and pets, and cut holes in the roof to access the fire, which was extinguished within two hours.

District Fire Chief Scott Kruger tells WBSM News one of the tenants was injured by the blaze. "We did have one tenant that did suffer some burns to his hands, arms, and face as well. He's been transferred to Rhode Island Hospital by New Bedford EMS," said Kruger.

The fire appears to have started in the kitchen, and Kruger says while investigators are taking a closer look, it does seem to be accidental.

Kruger says there was heavy smoke and fire damage to the third floor, with water damage on the first two floors, putting repair estimates at more than $50,000.