Explosion, fire damaging condo deemed ‘suspicious’

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

WESTERLY, R.I. – 

Two early morning explosions jolted people out of bed early Friday morning, at the Morningside Condominium Complex in Westerly.

"We heard two, what sounded like explosions," explained Frank Clifford, a nearby neighbor.

The disturbance came from one of the units, where it’s residents were seen outside, trying to contain a fire.  An explosion and fire has severely damaged a building at a Westerly condominium complex and displaced eight residents.

"You could see flames from inside the window, and there were a couple of guys with a fire extinguisher trying to reach in the window and put it out," said Clifford.

But what appeared to a typical house fire,took a much different turn once the Drug Enforcement Administration rolled in.  DEA agents, fully suited in protective garb and masks, entered the home later that afternoon. They carried out what appeared to be at least a dozen burned plants as evidence.

"Its really surprising.. I mean, this is a normal neighborhood. To think something like that would be going on in your backyard.. You have no idea," said another neighbor, just up the hill.

No official word from Westerly Police, as to what sparked the fire.  The State Fire Marshal’s office is conducting the investigation.