7 displaced, 2 firefighters injured after massive house fire in Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Seven people are without a home and two firefighters were injured after a fire tore through a home in Pawtucket Monday night.

Officials said at approximately 5:15 p.m., a call came in reporting a structure fire on Paisley Street. When crews arrived, they said there was fire stretching through all three floors and into the attic.

Emergency responders ended up striking a fourth alarm for mutual aid.

During the firefighting efforts, a mayday call was made for Providence firefighter who was injured. That firefighter was taken to the hospital, but the Pawtucket Fire Department said his injuries are not believed to be serious. All fire crews were ordered out of the home shortly thereafter.

Officials said a Pawtucket firefighter was also taken to the hospital for chest pain. They are expected to be okay and will be off duty until further evaluation can be done.

Pawtucket Battalion Chief Dave Cairrao said crews believe the fire started on the first floor, and because of the construction of the home, flames were able to travel quickly through walls and windows.

Cairrao said all residents had evacuated by the time fire crews arrived.

There is extensive damage to all three floors of the home. Cairrao also said there were multiple areas with structural weakness, adding to the difficulty of the response.

The Red Cross will be assisting the five adults and two children who were displaced by the fire.

A neighbor told ABC 6 News that his heart aches for his friend who lived inside.

“It makes me sad because I don’t know where they’re going to go now. Its a big family with a couple people upstairs and some downstairs — I just don’t know where they’re going to go now,” Ryan Sanchez said.

Another neighbor said a man who lives inside left shortly before the fire began.

“One of the guys that lives with me in the house says he left for about 20 minutes so when he comes home I guess he has a surprise waiting for him,” Dennis Prout said.

Emergency responders from Providence, North Providence, Attleboro, Smithfield and Cumberland were also called in to help fight the fire.

The State Fire Marshal and Pawtucket Fire Department are further investigating the cause.