18 displaced after house fire in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — 18 people are displaced after a house fire in Woonsocket Tuesday afternoon, according to the Red Cross.

Crews were called to a home on Chalapa Avenue around 1:30 p.m. for a report of smoke in the hallway.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke in the neighborhood, and called for assistance.

Firefighters discovered the smoke was coming from the basement, and that the flames had spread through the walls into the second and third floors.

Residents were able to evacuate the residence safely prior to the firefighters’ arrival.

Fire Chief Bob Cahill said it was more difficult to fight the fire since it was an older structure.

Crews rescued three cats and a dog.

The Red Cross is helping the 12 adults and six children who were displaced.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.