Firefighters battle Block Island blaze into morning

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WLNE) — Block Island was in a state of emergency after a large fire at a hotel in Old Harbor.

In a social media post Block Island Tourism said that multiple fire departments were on scene at the Harborside Inn on Water Street and that the hotel was safely evacuated.

Viewer Tim Aguiar shared this video with ABC 6 News:

The Block Island Ferry posted a service alert on its website at 7:45 a.m. Saturday that said that visitors should not travel to the island as there is limited water and no power.

The alert also said that all ferry trips are currently cancelled as only emergency personnel are being transported to the island.

“Our traditional ferries transported emergency vehicles throughout the night to assist,” the alert read.

Departures from the island scheduled for 10 a.m. will now depart at noon.

The ferry also said that online ticket holders can request a full refund by emailing info@blockislandferry.com.

Town Council First Warden Keith Stover told ABC 6 News that the town feels gratitude to everyone that came to their aid.

“We feel a deep and enduring gratitude for the incredible work being done by our firefighters, the mainland fire departments who came to our aid, our dispatchers, and our police department,” he said.

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.