On August 16, 2026, at approximately 10:44 P.M., Fairhaven Fire-EMS was dispatched by Holbrook Regional Communications for a reported structure fire on Crow Island.
With both ambulances committed to patient care, Engine 2 was dispatched with two personnel. A box alarm was subsequently struck for available off-duty personnel to respond to the Union Wharf Public Safety Complex and staff Marine 34. Two career firefighters and two call firefighters responded in addition to Engine 2’s initial staffing. The New Bedford Fire Department was also requested to respond with its fire boat, Marine 31.
Located in Fairhaven/New Bedford Harbor, Crow Island is home to one residential structure and two detached structures: a small structure resembling a chapel and a gazebo. The fire originated in the chapel and began spreading to the gazebo, which contained gas-powered equipment and the high-voltage electrical housing serving the island.
Responding crews quickly focused on protecting the involved exposures. Fire was extinguished, equipment was removed from the area, and electrical power was isolated. Crews initially faced challenges due to the distance from the shoreline and wind conditions, but these issues were quickly overcome, allowing firefighters to stop the fire from spreading further.
Both residents were unharmed and remained aboard Marine 34 during the incident.
Additional personnel responding from home were transported to the island with assistance from the Fairhaven Harbor Master. The town’s Electrical Inspector was also requested and determined that power to the uninvolved residence should be disconnected for the remainder of the night, temporarily displacing its residents.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fairhaven Fire Department. The incident is not considered suspicious. No civilians or firefighters were injured.
First Fire Response for Marine 34
This incident marks the first fire suppression operation involving Fairhaven Fire-EMS’s fire suppression boat, Marine 34. The department is grateful that the capabilities provided by Marine 34 allowed crews to respond to this unique incident and perform the necessary suppression and mitigation operations swiftly and with minimal delay.
Marine 34 was acquired in late 2025, and this incident demonstrated the value of having a dedicated fire suppression boat available to serve properties located in the harbor and other areas inaccessible by traditional apparatus.
Fairhaven Fire-EMS would like to thank all of the agencies and personnel who provided assistance during this incident, including the Fairhaven Harbor Master, Fairhaven Emergency Management Agency, Fairhaven Police Department, and the New Bedford Fire and Police Marine Units.
Their cooperation and assistance were instrumental in bringing this challenging incident to a safe and successful conclusion.
