Firefighters save Fall River house from morning flames

FALL RIVER – Morning brought smoke, and smoke brought firefighters to 175 Morgan St.

The crew of Engine 2 made quick work of the flames.

Residents of the three-story tenement at the corner of Morgan and Fourth streets called for help just after 7 a.m. Wednesday.

“The third floor resident said he smelled smoke and got up to investigate,” said District Chief Michael Clark, the commander at the scene. “As he was investigating, the smoke detectors went off.

“Everyone in the house got out safely.”

Engine 2 was the first on the scene. Firefighters hauled a 2-inch attack line up the stairs and blasted the flames before the fire had time to grow. The fire was out within minutes of their arrival.

“We opened the ceiling and some of the walls, to search for extension,” Clark said. “They kept it right to the third floor. They went in and stopped it.”

Within 10 minutes, Clark could be heard over the radio, directing firefighters to bring in plastic tarps to protect the residents’ belongings on the second and first floor.

Police Lt. Paul Bernier, a fire investigator, arrived at the scene while firefighters will still inside the building. Clark also called for an electrical inspector. There was no cause listed, though the fire started near an electrical line, firefighters report.

The quick work by firefighters allowed them to douse the flames and vent the smoke and heated air without having to cut a hole in the roof of the building.

Response teams from the electrical and gas companies were on the scene shutting off utilities. Utilities are shut off after a fire until the systems can be inspected to make sure they are still safe.

No one was injured.

Email Kevin P. O’Connor at koconnor@heraldnews.com.