Victim of Fatal New Bedford Fire Identified

A man who died Saturday after fire ripped through a two-family home in New Bedford has been identified as 88-year-old Robert Seamans. Seamans lived in the second-floor unit at 141-143 Myrtle Street.

At 5:05 p.m. the New Bedford Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting the structure fire. Upon arriving, Command Unit 1 reported heavy fire conditions on the second floor with a report of residents trapped on the second floor.

Company 1 and Engine Company 8 made their way to the second floor and conducted a simultaneous interior fire attack and search and rescue operation, the fire department said in a Facebook post. Ladder Company 1 quickly searched and located a male occupant. He was rescued from the apartment and his care was transferred to NBEMS Paramedics, who transported him to St. Luke’s Emergency Department.

The structure suffered extensive damage in the Dec. 28 fire. At this time, the cause of the blaze is under investigation by the NBFD Investigation Unit, NBPD Detectives, the State Fire Marshall’s Office, and MA State Police Detectives.

In related news, Fire Chief Joseph Coderre this week refuted claims by the New Bedford firefighter's union that city budget constraints and "rolling engine blackouts"  are imperiling public safety in the city.