Multiple displaced after car crashes into home in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Officials say multiple residents have been displaced after a car crashed into a multi-family home in Providence on Wednesday evening.

The accident occurred on the corner of Messer and Westminster Street, where a large hole could be seen near the base of the three-story house.

“I guess an earthquake? That’s really what it felt like, it was a huge sound,” said Ezra Enzo, one of the residents of the apartment. It was very, very loud. Just shaking, glass shattering and then the cold…it’s very cold out.”

Providence Fire crews stabilized the structure but deemed the first floor unsafe due to open sheeting.

Emergency crews told ABC 6 that damage to a heating system caused a gas emergency, forcing firefighters to clear out the third-floor apartment.

“The guys here are all trained in structural collapse,” said Battalion Chief Christopher Lannan with the Providence Fire Department. “Immediately once they got on scene, they determined it was safe to go into that area and investigate further.”

One minor injury was reported, as the driver was taken to the hospital.

“So far, we aren’t 100% sure on where we’re going to land tonight,” said Cali Hinton, another resident of the apartment. “Hopefully a friend’s house or a hotel or something tonight. I don’t know.”

The incident is currently under investigation.