Nine displaced by basement fire in Providence

Twitter: @BComakABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Nine people are without a home this Christmas after a fire on Bergen Street in Providence Christmas Day.

Fortunately everyone made it out of the building safely and the damage was contained to the basement.

However the power had to be shut off to the building, which means no one can live there for now.

“It was just horrible,” said family member Julio Romero.

According to fire officials, a family of four and a family of five were living there at the time.

“It’s a tough day for them to be displaced,” said Deputy Asst. Fire Chief Brian Mahoney. “Any day is tough to be displaced but especially today.”

One of the families was not home at the time, but was alerted to the fire instead by neighbors.

“Thank god that they were able to notify my mother in time,” said Romero. “Because then, if not I don’t know what would have happened.”

Fortunately everyone made it out safely, including their cat, but the electrical system was badly damaged, leaving the families heading elsewhere for Christmas Day.

But a family member told ABC 6 they are just grateful things weren’t worse.

“It’s bad but it could have been way worse,” said Romero. “The house is still in tact.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019