Massive Blaze Engulfs Renovating Home in Fall River – Firefighters Save the Day!

Firefighters in Fall River jumped into action late Friday night to battle a fast-moving fire at a city residence that was undergoing renovations. Thanks to a quick response from crews, the blaze was contained before it could cause even more destruction — and no injuries were reported.

Fire Breaks Out on Read Street

Just after 11 p.m. on April 19, neighbors along Read Street reported seeing heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of a two-story home. The property, located at 87 Read Street, was in the middle of being renovated and was unoccupied at the time of the fire — a fact that may have prevented a tragedy.

When Fall River Fire Department crews arrived on the scene, the fire had already spread from the rear of the building into the attic and a second-floor bedroom. Flames lit up the night sky, and smoke poured from the structure, drawing the attention of residents throughout the neighborhood.

A Race Against Time

According to officials, crews quickly got to work with an exterior attack, focusing on knocking down the heaviest flames first. Once it was safe to enter, firefighters made their way into the home through a side door and moved to the second floor to stop the fire from advancing any further.

Crews remained on the scene for over an hour, checking for hotspots, securing the structure, and making sure the fire hadn’t spread into hidden pockets within the walls or attic. The fire was brought under control within about 15 minutes of arrival and was fully extinguished shortly after midnight.

“We got lucky that nobody was living there at the time,” said one firefighter. “It made a big difference in how we approached the fire and thankfully kept everyone safe.”

No One Injured, But Damage Is Significant

While no one was hurt in the fire, the damage to the home is significant. Fire officials estimate the structural loss to be around $150,000. Because the home was vacant and under renovation, no residents were displaced.

At this time, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire investigators were on-site into the early morning hours collecting evidence and reviewing the scene. While they haven’t released any official findings, they are looking into whether construction-related materials or tools might have played a role.

A Close Call for the Neighborhood

Neighbors said they were shaken by how quickly the fire took hold and how close the home is to others on the street. One local resident, who lives just a few doors down, described hearing popping sounds before spotting flames from her window.

“I ran out thinking maybe someone was grilling or something,” she said. “But then I saw the smoke and I called 911 right away. I couldn’t believe how fast it all happened.”

Several residents praised the Fall River Fire Department for their fast and professional response.

“They were here within minutes,” another neighbor added. “They moved fast and really kept things from getting worse.”

Community Relief and Firefighter Praise

Despite the scare, the mood in the neighborhood was one of relief. Many residents said they felt grateful that the house was empty and that firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread to nearby homes.

“It could’ve been a whole different story,” said one passerby who stopped to watch crews wrap up their work after midnight. “It’s a reminder of how important it is to have people like this looking out for us.”

Fall River officials say they’ll continue to monitor the investigation and reminded residents to report any fire hazards they see — especially in vacant buildings under construction or repair.