EAST GREENWICH, RI—Three firefighters were injured Tuesday afternoon as they battled a fire that quickly spread from the basement of a large East Greenwich house, fed by gas, authorities said.
One firefighter was treated at the scene for a hand injury while two others, both suffering from heat-related medical conditions, were taken to Kent County Hospital, according to Fire Chief Bernard Patenaude.
The fire at 15 Secret Lane drew at least 80 firefighters from East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Warwick and West Warwick following an initial response at 12:10 p.m., said Patenaude.
"It was a difficult fire," Patenaude said.
The two-story house, which Patenaude estimated in the range of 5,000 square feet, sustained heavy fire damage in the basement and parts of the first floor.
Patenaude said he observed smoke damage throughout the home.
The owner of the home and a service person from a utility company were at the house when the fire broke out and made a safe exit, Patenaude said.
Initially the fire spread at an unusual pace due to the presence of gas, he said, adding that firefighters turned off the source, but not before the gas had helped extend the reach of the blaze considerably.
Firefighters made use of the last fire hydrant in the area, he said.
The house is not habitable, he added.
An investigation into the cause of the fire continues, he said.
———
©2019 The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.)
Visit The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.) at www.projo.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
