Rhode Island Fire Displaces Residents At Complex For Elderly, Disabled

JOHNSTON, R.I. (AP) -- A fire forced at a Johnston housing complex for the elderly and disabled sent two people to the hospital Wednesday and left 23 apartments temporarily uninhabitable.

Gregg Perry, spokesman for Picerne Real Estate, which owns and operates Simmons Village, said the apartment where the fire began was heavily damaged and another 22 in that portion of the building were uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage.

The Red Cross was assisting the displaced residents.

No information was immediately available on the condition of the two residents transported to the hospital.

Firefighters and rescue crews from Johnston and five other communities responded to the fire at the complex on Simmonsville Avenue.

The Johnston fire department said no information was available on the fire's cause.