NEW BEDFORD, MA—Three people and "over 20" cats were rescued by firefighters from a fire at 303 County St. Sunday morning in the city's South End.

District Chief Michael Dandurand said firefighters from Station 6 on Potomska Street responded to the fire around 9:30 a.m. Firefighters arrived to heavy fire at the front of the building and at its north side. With three people trapped inside, Engine 6 and Ladder 3 firefighters had to get them out using ground ladders.

But that was far from the end of the rescue work. Dandurand said well over 20 cats were brought out of the building and given oxygen as they were prepared to be brought into veterinary hospitals. A number of other cats in the building were found dead.

Today at 9:39 multiple 911 calls were received reporting a structure fire at 303 County Street. Upon arrival, crews...

Posted by New Bedford Fire Department on Sunday, March 21, 2021

Two of the people rescued were brought to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, while the other, who'd suffered more severe injuries, was brought to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Dandurand said.

The fire took about 30 minutes to extinguish, and investigators were still on scene as of 3 p.m. Dandurand reported. No cause had been determined as of Sunday afternoon, he said.

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