Christmas Miracle: Man Rescued after Fall in Vacant Mill in Providence, RI
On Christmas morning, a person taking a walk heard someone calling for help in a vacant mill building.
Providence firefighters found a seriously injured man had fallen through the floor in the empty building and landed 12 feet below.
"It took quite a bit of personnel with the series of ladders and some rope rigging to get him up through the hole. There was no stairwell and no supports that were able to bring him up," Battalion Chief Daniel Corneau told WJAR.
The 36-year-old man, who may have been trapped since 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries.
Another homeless man told reporters he was worried because he hadn't heard from the victim in a few days.
"He might've let other people stay with him, but as far as I know he's the only one who knew how to get in there."
Fire Chief Derek Silva said on X that the site has been turned over to the Department of Inspections and Standards.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.