Heavy fire breaks out at Geneva Street home in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Crews were on scene of a three-alarm fire that broke out in a home Monday morning in Providence.

At least 55 firefighters were called to the fire that broke out just after 6 a.m. on Geneva Street.

“It was very very cold,” Providence Battalion Chief Kevin Jutras said. “We had to remove crews from the building because of the amount of fire that had gained hold of the building — and at that time the fire department went defensive, so we pulled all companies out of the building.”

Neighbor Ken Richardson said he’s spoken to the family who are okay and are now being assisted by the American Red Cross to find shelter. 

“These firefighters have done marvelous work,” Richardson said.  “These firefighters came from everywhere and they were able to work in a conjoined, cohesive way to contain the fire and that’s what I really admire.”

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the home and prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring homes like Richardson’s.

Firefighters say that the flames were so severe that they couldn’t even tell which room the fire started in.

Jutras reported that a bystander was injured after they slipped on ice. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.