By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
A seven-alarm fire that tore through a North Attleborough condominium Monday has been ruled accidental and originated in an air conditioning unit, fire officials confirmed.
Investigators are still working to determine the exact malfunction in the AC that caused the blaze at 30 Juniper Road, according to North Attleborough Fire Chief Christopher Coleman, who provided an update during a press conference on Tuesday, May 12.
Roughly 150 residents were displaced, because power was shut off to the neighboring building at 16 Juniper Road during the emergency response. Those in the neighboring building were able to return to their homes Monday evening, and the number of displaced is now between 60 and 80 residents—those living at 30 Juniper Road.
Coleman described the scene firefighters encountered as one of the most intense fires he has seen in his career.
“When they forced the door, they had heavy fire already,” Coleman said of his crew. “The amount of heat they experienced was incredible. They did a phenomenal job.”
Crews received the initial 911 call at approximately 2:05 p.m., according to Coleman. Firefighters initially launched “an aggressive interior attack” but were forced to withdraw after flames spread into the attic and rapidly traveled through the roof structure.
Coleman said firefighters also faced an early obstacle when they arrived, because the entry door was deadbolted, forcing crews to breach the door before beginning suppression efforts and evacuations. By the time firefighters made entry, heavy fire conditions had already developed inside.
Before pulling crews out, firefighters conducted a primary search and evacuated residents from the building.
“At 2 a.m., this would have been a much different story,” Coleman said, noting many residents were awake and able to escape because the fire occurred during the afternoon. “When we got to the scene, we still had people who had to get out of the building.”
Coleman said the building’s setback from the road and limited nearby hydrant access created additional challenges, forcing firefighters to stretch hoses through backyards and pump water from hydrants hundreds of feet away to maintain pressure.
The department initially responded with fewer firefighters than normal because both ambulances — staffed by four firefighters — were tied up at unrelated hospital calls when the fire broke out.
“We called mutual aid immediately to help,” Coleman said. “Normally we’re staffed at 13. We pulled up with 10 firefighters.”
No injuries were reported, though officials said approximately 10 cats remain missing. A structural engineer was evaluating the building Tuesday to determine whether it is safe for firefighters to re-enter and search for pets or help residents recover belongings.
Coleman said crews remained on scene until around 8 p.m. Monday, using thermal drones to locate lingering hot spots.
He also confirmed the condominium did not have a sprinkler system, which was not required under the building code when it was constructed in the 1960s. Because the units are privately-owned, the Fire Department does not conduct regular inspections.
Recovery efforts underway
At North Attleborough Middle School, which was converted into a temporary shelter and reunification center, local agencies and nonprofits have begun helping displaced residents navigate the aftermath of the fire.
Barbara Cotton, executive director of the Southeastern Massachusetts chapter of the American Red Cross, said volunteers mobilized quickly as the scale of the fire became clear.
“Once we started seeing the alerts and the alarm levels going up, we knew it was going to be pretty impactful,” Cotton said.
The Red Cross opened 20 cases tied to the fire, assisting 27 people as of Tuesday, May 12. Four residents stayed overnight Monday at the shelter inside the middle school gymnasium.
Cotton said many displaced residents initially scattered after the fire, meaning some had not yet connected with relief agencies.
“If you haven’t opened a case yet, do so today,” she said. “That’s what’s really going to help us help them recover.”
Residents are being connected with assistance for temporary housing, clothing, food, medications and replacement identification documents, while state and local agencies work to establish a larger resource recovery center in the coming days.
“State Rep. Adam Scanlon was here offering assistance with RAFT — renters assistance based on income — so that’s helpful for people who don’t have money for a deposit or to get started somewhere else,” explained Cotton.
The Salvation Army provided meals, while the North Attleborough YMCA opened its facilities for showers and charging stations. Officials with Lenore’s Pantry said displaced residents affected by the fire will be able to access food assistance immediately without appointments.
“We came last night to provide immediate assistance — cell phone chargers, bath towels and pet food,” said Alyson Delano, director of food access for the YMCA.
Caitlin Gibbs, associate vice president of social action services for the YMCA, said the organization is also offering free YMCA memberships to displaced residents and gift cards for financial support.
“If anyone displaced wants to get out of the house — socialization, working out, the pool, showers — we’re here,” Gibbs said. ““There’s a lot of information being thrown at them right now. The Red Cross does a great job of stabilizing people in those first 48 hours, but when the smoke clears, there’s still a lot of need.”