Residents told to conserve water for 48 hours after Block Island fire

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WLNE) — The Town of New Shoreham is advising all residents and visitors on Block Island to conserve water after a large fire at a historic hotel.

Town Manager Maryanne Crawford said that the town’s water supply is currently severely limited after the large response to the fire at the Harborside Inn.

The fire started around 11:30 p.m. Friday night that required mutual aid from multiple fire departments on the mainland.

“Additional assistance was received from the Point Judith U.S. Coast Guard Station, Interstate Navigation, and New England Airlines,” Crawford said.

Crawford said the fire is currently under control and is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

There were also no injuries reported, though several businesses were affected and the Block Island School is being used as an emergency shelter to house displaced hotel guests.

The Block Island Ferry also had to revise its Saturday schedule due to the fire.

“The Town of New Shoreham would like to thank all of Block Island’s emergency services, including dispatch and the ladies’ auxiliary, all of the departments and individuals who provided extraordinary mutual aid, and the island community,” Crawford said.