Dozens displaced after Fall River apartment complex blaze sparked by fatal crash

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Dozens of displaced residents are trying to figure out their next steps after a fatal New Year's Day crash that sparked a massive apartment complex fire.

Two Fall River women died following Tuesday's crash.

Officials say 72-year-old Judith Mauretti of Fall River was driving a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix when she crashed into Building 15 at the Four Winds Apartments on North Main Street. Her passenger, 75-year-old Linda Leahey of Fall River, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where she eventually died.

The crash ruptured the gas lines, igniting a massive 6-alarm fire. That fire reignited hours later, forcing the need to tear down the building Wednesday.

Displaced residents who spoke with Boston 25 News said they are grateful that they are alive, but their future is uncertain.

>> Apartment complex to be torn down after fatal crash sets off huge blaze

Ikwan Cleaves watched his building be demolished. His cat is still missing. He had rushed out of the burning building with his newborn baby.

"I was just really concerned about getting my family out, making sure they were safe," Cleaves said.

His family is also staying in a hotel. All their possessions are ashes.

"We’re trying to create a plan and execute it and just trying to get back on our feet and possibly rebuild what we had," Cleaves said.

Zach Albrecht, who lost his home,called the entire ordeal a "terror and scary."

"Staying in a hotel right now, which is fine, but definitely not a long-term thing, so we need to find a place to sit down so that we can actually regroup and get everything back together," said

He's thankful he was alerted to the fire so he could get to safety.

"Suddenly there was smoke, suddenly there was the fire alarms. Luckily one of our neighbors was yelling about it," Albrecht said.

Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch said that the building needed to be ripped down as it is a total loss. It could have been salvaged after the initial fire, but the second flare up was too much.

The building had working smoke detectors but did not have sprinklers, according to the chief, because it is such an old building.

Lynch said 80 people have been displaced by the fire. Firefighters were able to rescue seven pets from the building.

Seven Fall River firefighters were transported to local hospitals after suffering from heat exhaustion. They are all expected to be OK, according to the chief.

The fatal crash remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group