Providence fire crews respond to VA property blaze

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence fire crews responded to a fire on the property of the Department of Veterans Affairs near the John Harwood Center.

Heavy black smoke could be seen coming from the roof and the back of the building.

Firefighters had to use electric saws on the roof to open up the building to airflow.

Crews were first called to Niagara Street around 1:45 Monday morning and had the fire out just after 4 a.m.

There’s no word on how the fire started or how much damage it caused but authorities told ABC6 that the building was empty at the time.

The government building is the site of the renovated former army reserve center that helps aging and disabled veterans.