Wednesday, December 24, 2014

SEVEN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER FIRE IN PROVIDENCE’S SMITH HILL IN RHODE ISLAND



Seven taken to hospital after fire in Providence’s Smith Hill in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. —December 24, 2014.

 Seven people were taken to the hospital, three with smoke inhalation, after a fire ravaged a two-family home at 61 Zone St. in the Smith Hill section of Providence Tuesday.

Flames were pouring out of the second-floor window when fire crews first arrived around 11:50 a.m., said Providence Fire Chief Daniel Crowley.

Firefighters rescued one man who was hanging out of the third floor window to escape the flames and two more people from windows. Another four people who were home when the fire started were able to escape out the front door.

The three people rescued by firefighters were suffering from “pretty serious” smoke inhalation, Crowley said. The five others were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The building did not have a fire escape.

Among those who were able to get out of the house though the single stairwell were two young children, including a 10-year-old girl who told reporters at the scene she carried her six-month old brother to safety.

The fire started on the second floor of the three-story building and the cause was under investigation, but did not appear to be suspicious, said Fire Department Arson Investigator Paul A. Doughty.

Firefighters had the blaze extinguished before 1 p.m.