South Kingstown apartment fire critically injures man, dog

"I'd like to thank the South Kingstown Police Department, EMS and dispatch for their assistance and professionalism. All members of the town’s public safety team did an exceptional job this morning."

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE)- A man and a dog are both in critical condition after an apartment fire broke out overnight in South Kingstown.

Union Fire District Chief Steven Pinch said crews responded to a commercial box alarm at the Champagne Heights housing complex on Curtis Corner Road just before 1 a.m.

When first responders arrived on scene, they found that the northeast end of one of the apartment buildings was fully engulfed in flames. Witnesses told officers that they believed residents were still inside of the burning building.

A search and rescue team found a 60-year-old man and his grandson’s dog in the front bedroom of one of the apartments. Police said both dog and man were unconscious and may have suffered smoke inhalation.

The man was rushed to South County Hospital and the dog was taken to Ocean State Veterinary Hospital.

Police said both are in critical condition.

“It is a testament to the UFD and the dedicated members that we were able to handle the initial fire and a box alarm simultaneously without requiring additional mutual aid from outside the town. I am proud of the work by our volunteers and the fact that we are able to provide exceptional service at very minimal cost to the taxpayers,” Chief Pinch said.

“I’d also like to thank the South Kingstown Police Department, EMS and dispatch for their assistance and professionalism. All members of the town’s public safety team did an exceptional job this morning.”

The Rhode Island State Fire Marshal, South Kingstown Union Fire Department, and South Kingstown Police are actively investigating the incident.