Alfred Martin Obituary, Death; –State officials have confirmed the identity of the individual who perished in a house fire on Monday in New Bedford.
The victim has been identified as 88-year-old Alfred Martin, as reported by the New Bedford Fire and Police departments, the State Fire Marshal, and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The fire erupted at 24 Cotter St. shortly after 1 p.m. on January 20, injuring four additional individuals, including a man who attempted to rescue Martin from the two-family residence.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense flames engulfing the structure and utilized a ladder to save one person from the second floor. Three others managed to escape independently, and all four were subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Additionally, two cats were rescued from the home and received care for smoke inhalation from New Bedford Animal Control.
Martin was declared deceased at the scene, according to official reports. The investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is ongoing to determine the cause and manner of his death.
New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger extended heartfelt condolences to Mr. Martin’s family, stating, “Our thoughts are with them, and also with the residents who lost their home. This is a terrible loss for them and the community.”
Officials indicated that the fire, which inflicted “catastrophic damage” to the residence, is not currently considered suspicious, although the precise cause remains undetermined. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from a couch located in the first-floor living room near the front left of the house, with smoking materials and an electrical outlet also present in that vicinity.
Martin’s death marks the first fire-related fatality in the state for 2025. In 2024, smoking was identified as the primary cause of residential fire fatalities in Massachusetts.
Support at the scene was provided by New Bedford EMS, the New Bedford Emergency Management Agency, the New Bedford Department of Public Works, and Providence Canteen.
