First responders save mother and baby in Cumberland house fire

February 14, 2019 3:44 pm

By Jordan Mazza

Email: jmazza@abc6.com

Twitter: @JordanMazzaTV

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) – Cumberland Firefighters have a 3-alarm fire at a High Street home under control after battling the flames for several hours.

The call came in just after 12:00 p.m. for a house fire at 237 High Street in Cumberland.

Fire Chief Kenneth Finlay said no one was injured in the fire, and that police saved a tenant and child trapped on the second floor.

“It could have been a very different set of circumstances,” said James McLaughlin, (D) District 57. “But these guys do a great job and they’re to be commended.”

An unconscious dog was rescued from the home, and later revived at an animal hospital.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire and its origin are under investigation, but once ignited the fire spread freely through the home.

Finlay said the age and design of the home made fighting the fire more difficult.

“We had a lot of areas for the fire to go and hide from us,” said the chief. “And it just amplified the workload because there were ceilings below ceilings.”

He says there were no working smoke detectors in the building.

“This could have had a much worse outcome,” Finlay said. “We didn’t have any working detectors in the building when we pulled up. Had there been detection on the first floor, they would’ve alerted the residents much quicker than they were alerted.”

Neighbors say it’s a reminder to check smoke detectors — and to check in on neighbors in need.

“Any help and support that they need – absolutely,” said neighbor Jason Volpe. “Food drives, whatever they need.”