Providence Fire Knocked Down Before Threatening Neighborhood - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Providence Fire Knocked Down Before Threatening Neighborhood

by Mark Curtis 

mcurtis@abc6.com

     Providence firefighters cleaned up what could have been a major disaster in the city. They were called to 74 Alvin Street...just after noon. A garage caught fire then quickly spread to another garage...a car..and two nearby houses. Homeowner Lilia Tavarez...who was inside just 20 minute before the flames broke out.

     Lilia Tavarez, the homeowner, said, "I left to pay a bill. And someone called me from the house and the kids - they were in the house - and they called me that the house went on fire. I I just came back. I don't know anything else."

     Her children got out safely and no one was hurt. Firefighters say it was crucial that someone called 911 immediately. It took crews about 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.

     Dep. Chief James Mirza of the Providence Fire Department said, "Under these conditions it could have been serious. In a matter of a few more minutes we could have had both of these houses more involved with the fire than they were. So were able to get in there quick and get it knocked down before it really did significant damage to the house so we were lucky."

     The cause of the fire has not officially been determined but investigators believe it started in one of the garages.

     ABC6 Reporter Mark Curtis said, "One firefighter was treated for the effects of heat and smoke, but he's going to be okay. In the newsroom, Mark Curtis ABC6 News."