New Bedford fire that ripped 9 from their home was sparked by illicit marijuana operation

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A fire that ripped nine people from their home on Thursday was sparked by an illicit recreational marijuana operation.

The New Bedford Fire Department said a fire broke out in an apartment on the third floor of the Welcome Street home.

The fire was unintentional, and started due to a marijuana grow operation.

“These residential grow operations cause frequent fires due to numerous sources of heat, overloaded electrical devices and wiring, and nearby combustibles and chemicals,” the department said in a post on social media.

Fire officials said the third floor resident’s dog woke him up when the fire broke out around 4 p.m.

The resident was able to save his dog and eight other pets. Three cats died during the fire.

All of the residents were able to evacuate themselves.

Two residents were brought to St. Luke’s Hospital. One of them, the third-floor tenant, was later brought to the Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center.

No firefighters were hurt.

The Red Cross is assisting eight displaced adults and one child.