New Bedford police officer credited for saving six people from burning building

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A New Bedford police officer is being recognized after he rescued six people out of a burning building this week.

The department said Officer Nathan Pimentel was the first to arrive on scene of a triple-decker apartment on Tinkham Street around 2 a.m. Wednesday.

He successfully evacuated three men from the second floor and three women from the first floor, before the fire department arrived.

After getting six individuals out, he told the firefighters there may be a woman trapped in the second floor apartment.

On Facebook, the police dept. praised Office Pimentel's actions.

"His efforts started a chain of heroic events that displayed great teamwork among city law enforcement, fire and emergency medical teams," the post read.

The woman trapped in the second-floor apartment was removed from the building by firefighters, but later died at the hospital.

After an investigation, officials determined the cause of the fire was the improper use of disposal of smoking materials.

Cox Media Group