Kerr Mill Fire, Fall River, MA, January 1987

Fall River, MA had a 3-alarm fire today and it brought back some memories of the big mill fires in Fall River and New Bedford that I witnessed while growing up in Somerset, MA (across the Taunton River South Watuppa Pond from Fall River). Here are some scans of Kodachrome slides that my dad (Michael F. James) took of the Kerr Mill fire in January, 1987.

I remember standing near the Route 6 signs watching this fire with my dad. I was 14. The big mill fires tended to draw a huge crowd of onlookers from Fall River and Somerset, and of course a huge assortment of apparatus and firefighters. You’ll spot the Civil Defense Rescue 1 squad in the one shot. The flames and smoke were so bright and high that they blotted out the sky and landscape along the Taunton River behind the mill.

The mill fires were fought defensively (surround and drown) and firefighters worked hard to protect any surrounding exposures. These fires were huge and impressive, garnered headlines in the next day’s Fall River Herald News and were the talk of the town for days after.

Best-

Trevor James

Trevor James Fire Scene Photography

Michael James photo

3 comments on “Kerr Mill Fire, Fall River, MA, January 1987”

hello sir, i saw your pics, i am the director of the Facebook page Metro Fall River Fire Alerts, we cover all fire and emergency incidents within the Greater Fall River area. I would also like to point out that the body of water in the rear of the mill complex is not the Taunton River, it is however the South Watuppa Pond. I was also wondering if there would be any way that I could use your pictures on my site? I will be more than happy to give you full photo credits.

Sincerely,
Chris MacKenzie
Director MFRFA

Hi Chris,

Those are photos from our family collection and were taken by my Dad. You are free to post them to your site but I would ask that you make sure to credit both myself and my Dad, Trevor & Michael James. I grew up in Somerset and we took photos at this mill fire back in 1987. When I mention Taunton River, I was specifically referring to Somerset being on the other side of Fall River from the Taunton River. But yes you are correct that the body of water in the photos is the South Watuppa Pond. Good catch.

Again please credit us if you use the photos.

Best-

Trevor James

chris mackenzie on May 31, 2015 at 1:45 pm said:

ok thank you very much, i’ll keep it in mind, i do appreciate it.

Reply

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