Summary：**North Attleboro Condo Residents Return Home After Devastating May Fire** *North Attleboro — Despi

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**North Attleboro Condo Residents Return Home After Devastating May Fire**
*North Attleboro — Despite the return of sunny weather, a somber mood hung over Hawthorne Village on Wednesday morning as residents returned for the first time since a fire swept through the complex to collect belongings.*

### Introduction
On May 12, a fast‑moving blaze engulfed three buildings of Hawthorne Village, displacing more than 120 families and causing an estimated $8 million in property damage. Emergency crews worked through the night to contain the flames, and investigators later traced the origin to an electrical fault in a shared utility room. After weeks of debris removal, structural assessments, and coordination with insurance adjusters, the condo association cleared the site for limited re‑entry on Wednesday, allowing owners to retrieve personal items and begin the long road to recovery.

### Key Developments
Residents were escorted by safety officers and building inspectors as they entered the still‑smoldering units. Many reported finding only charred frames and water‑soaked belongings, while a few salvaged photographs, documents, and sentimental items. The condo board announced a temporary housing stipend of $1,500 per household, funded through the association’s reserve and a state disaster relief grant. Simultaneously, the town’s building department issued a stop‑work order on all reconstruction until a revised fire‑safety plan—featuring upgraded sprinkler systems, fire‑rated doors, and improved electrical wiring—receives final approval. Local volunteers set up a donation center at the North Attleboro Community Center, collecting clothing, toiletries, and gift cards for those left without essentials.

### Industry Analysis
The Hawthorne Village incident highlights a growing vulnerability in New England’s multifamily housing stock: aging electrical infrastructure combined with insufficient fire‑suppression retrofits. According to the National Fire Protection Association, condo complexes built before 2000 account