Photos/Story by Roland J. Gosselin

On February 5, 2002, at about 11 p.m., firefighters from the West Warwick, RI fire department were dispatched to a reported building fire.

They responded with four engines, one tower, one rescue, one air/lighting unit and a battalion.

Prior to companies arriving at the scene the dispatcher was receiving reports from police of a well involved structure.

Arriving within a couple of minutes the first due companies found the basement level of a 2 1/2 story 40 x 70 vacant building heavily consumed by fire.

Defensive operations were initiated and Mutual aid from the Warwick Fire Department was requested, bringing two more engines, another tower, and one more rescue.

Crews work for approximately 3 hours to bring the fire under control, without any firefighter or civilian injuries.

Cause of the fire is still under investigation but, the building has been vacant for some time.