Taunton Officials Announce Safety Measures Implemented at Bacon Felt Building

TAUNTON — Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne, and Police Chief Edward J. Walsh would like to announce safety measures that have been implemented at the City-owned Bacon Felt Building, which has been the site of recent fires and trespassing.

Over the past several weeks, members of the Taunton Police and Fire Departments have responded to the Bacon Felt building for two smoke alarm activations and several trespassing incidents.

The two smoke alarm activations were the result of fires that occurred in June and July. In both incidents, the building’s sprinkler system — which has been diligently maintained by the Taunton Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Office since the City took possession of the building — worked as designed to limit the fires’ impact. As a result, Taunton firefighters quickly extinguished both fires and prevented significant damage. 

Following an investigation by Taunton Police and Fire, along with members of the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office,police have charged three juveniles in connection to the fires. Taunton Police have also charged four trespassers recently.

In an effort to prevent individuals from trespassing on this property and causing small fires, the City of Taunton, in collaboration with the police and fire departments, has implemented several safety measures.

In addition to the Fire Department maintaining the building’s fire suppression systems, the City’s Building Department has also boarded up all entry points to the building and marked it as condemned. Temporary fencing and trespassing signs have also been installed to prevent individuals from being on the property.

The property is currently under regular surveillance and Taunton Police have increased patrols in the area of the facility.

The City of Taunton, along with Taunton Police and Fire, strongly encourage parents to speak with their children and teens about trespassing and reiterate the dangers of entering abandoned buildings, as well as the legal consequences of trespassing.

Anyone found trespassing on the property will be issued no trespass orders and be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

“Our City departments have been working together to restrict access to the vacant building that once housed the Bacon Felt factory. I am grateful to the Fire Department for their efforts in keeping the public safe,” said Mayor Shaunna O’Connell. “Capt. Robert Bastis deserves special recognition for his commitment for over a decade to keep the Bacon Felt sprinkler system ready to combat any fires in the building. We urge the public to avoid entering this vacant building which contains numerous safety hazards and has been marked with ‘no trespass’ signs.”

Added Chief Lavigne, “Members of the Taunton Fire Department are committed to ensuring that the building has adequate fire protection and preventing any fires from occurring, however, we couldn’t do this job without the vital support from other city departments. I would like to thank the Police Department for assisting us in our investigations and for working to limit the amount of trespassers on the property. I would also like to thank the Building Department for their assistance in implementing several safety measures such as signs, fences and boards. We also ask that our community members avoid this building to ensure their own safety.”

Anyone who notices suspicious activity is encouraged to contact Taunton Police at 508-824-7522.

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