Fire Destroys Nazarene Christian Academy Preschool, New Bedford

A fire early Monday morning severely damaged the attic and upper levels of the Nazarene Christian Academy in New Bedford, likely caused by an electrical malfunction involving a ventilation fan near the boys' restroom. Firefighters contained and extinguished the blaze within about 45 minutes, with no injuries reported as the school was unoccupied at the time. The fire primarily affected the Collis Building, housing preschool to kindergarten programs, destroying attic storage and causing water damage to lower floors. Despite the destruction, the academy plans to resume summer activities at an alternate site and aims to reopen for the fall semester, potentially using the gymnasium as temporary classrooms during repairs. Restoration efforts, including cleanup and structural assessments, are underway, and city inspectors will ensure the site is safe before reoccupation. To cover costs beyond insurance, the school has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to replace damaged educational resources and equipment.