Crow Island Structure Fire
From Fairhaven Fire Department Facebook Page
On August 16 at 10:44 p.m. The Fairhaven Fire Department received a dispatch from Holbrook Regional Communications for a report of a fire on Crow Island. With both ambulances committed to treating patients, Engine 2 was dispatched with 2 personnel and a box was struck for available off-duty personnel to Union Wharf Public Safety Complex to respond in Marine 34. Two career and two call-fire personnel responded in addition to Engine 2’s staffing on the initial alarm. New Bedford Fire Department was requested to respond with their fire boat asset, Marine 31.
Located within Fairhaven/New Bedford Harbor, Crow Island has one residential structure as well as two detached structures, one being a small structure resembling a chapel, the other, a gazebo. The fire had started within the chapel and had begun to involve the gazebo with gas powered equipment inside as well as the high voltage housing for the entire island.
Involved exposures were extiguished, equipment removed and electrical isolated. Crews faced some initial challenges regarding the distance from the shoreline and wind considerations but were able to resolve them quickly and stop the fire from spreading any further.
Both residents were unharmed and remained on Marine 34.
Additional personnel responding from home were brought to the island with the assistance of the Fairhaven Harbor Master. The town’s electrical inspector was requested and determined that the electricity to the uninvolved residence also be cut for the night which displaced the residents.
The cause is still under investigation, is not considered suspicious and no civilians or firefighters were injured.
We would like to note that this is the first fire incident that our fire suppression boat has operated on. We are grateful that we had the capabilities to perform what was necessary to mitigate this incident swiftly and with minimal delays in this unique situation due to the acquisition of Marine 34 in late 2025.
Fairhaven Fire-EMS would like to thank all of the agencies that provided assistance including the Fairhaven Harbor Master, Fairhaven EMA, Fairhaven Police, New Bedford Fire and Police Marine Units.
Electrical Wire on Sconticut Neck Road Catches Fire
A downed electrical wire on Sconticut Neck Road, near the corner of Goulart Memorial Drive caused a power outage or 646 customers for about three hours on Monday, 8/17/26.
Power was restored around 9:25 a.m. Eversource reported that the outage was caused by damage to their electrical equipment. Residents and drivers saw the downed power line and the fire it caused.
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- An electrical wire is on fire on the sidewalk on Sconticut Neck Road near Goulart Memorial Drive on 8/17/26. Photo by Scott Gobar.
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- The ground is scorched where an electrical wire fell to the sidewalk and burned on Sconticut Neck Road near Goulart Memorial Drive on 8/17/26. Photo by Beth David.
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