Seekonk, MA (Bristol County) ~ A suspicious fire broke out in an abandoned commercial property on Maple Ave around 0445hrs on May 1, 2012. Heavy smoke and fire was showing from the complex as firefighters arrived. The building was the home of the Attleboro Dye Company and has been vacant for years. The property was of mixed construction types; some were brick and timbers while others were concrete block with steel I-beams.

Fire crews set up water supply and then attempted to protect the nearby houses along Central Ave (Route-152). Access around the property was limited to the Maple Ave and Central Ave sides only due to a river and pond along the Charlie/Delta sides. Ladder pipes, deck guns, and several large hand lines played water in the complex for the entire day.

Attleboro, MA, Rehoboth, MA, and Pawtucket, RI assisted the Seekonk Fire Department throughout the inferno. The building was totally destroyed and collapsed into itself hours into the ordeal. Hazardous material runoff was a major concern for the DEM as several 

chemicals were used and stored in the property over the years.

Companies remained on scene overnight wetting down hotspots. The cause is still under investigation. The building’s utilities were terminated prior to the fire, which leads to the suspicion of arson. According to officials, several firefighters suffered minor injuries while fighting the blaze due to the thick, heavy smoke.