TAUNTON — On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Taunton Fire Department’s 911 dispatch center received a call reporting a fire at 8 Hopkins Road, a multi-unit apartment building.
According to a statement from Taunton Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne, Taunton police officers on patrol in the area arrived on scene first and reported that fire was showing from the building.
“The officers began to assist residents as people evacuated the building,” Chief Lavigne said.
The first firefighters to arrive on scene, including Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Arruda, began organizing an interior attack and rescue operation.
“Deputy Arruda called for a second alarm of response, sending additional firefighters to the scene, as the fire was significant, and temperatures had dropped into the single digits,” Chief Lavigne said. “Firefighters entered the building to attack the fire while additional fire crews set up ground ladders. Five residents were rescued via ground ladder, and after an aggressive interior search, it was determined that all residents were accounted for.”
Four of the rescued residents were taken by Brewster Ambulance Service to area hospitals for evaluation. All four suffered smoke inhalation, and one also sustained a hand injury. No firefighters were injured.
“The building did not have sprinklers, but residents were awoken by a fully functioning alarm system,” Chief Lavigne said. “An initial investigation indicates that the fire had started in one of the apartments and spread via interior walls up to the roof, causing significant damage to the structure.”
About 15 residents were displaced and cannot return to the building. They are receiving assistance from the City of Taunton, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.
“This was an aggressive fire, and the severe cold creates an additional challenge for rescuers, but our Taunton firefighters, police officers and mutual aid partners did tremendous work this morning, stopping the fire and rescuing multiple residents,” Chief Lavigne said. “Our hearts go out to all the residents who cannot go back into their homes, but we know that they are receiving an outpouring of support today.”
The Taunton Fire Department committed all of its apparatus to the fire, with the Dighton Fire Department assisting on scene and fire crews from Norton, Berkley and Rehoboth providing station coverage.
The Taunton fire and police departments are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.
