Home»Fire Incidents»2010 Incidents»2nd Alarm Warwick, RI 972 West Shore Rd April 11, 2010

Warwick, RI - A fire alarm system alerted the Warwick Fire Department of a possible fire at this 100 year old assisted living center at 972 West Shore Road around 1900hrs. As the first alarm response was on the way, several 911 calls rang in reporting a fire at this location. The first engine arrived and reported smoke showing from the eaves of this 3sty wood frame with a 1 story addition on side C. Battalion 2 arrived and requested a second alarm to be struck due to the life hazard of this structure. An interior attack commenced with rapidly deteriorating conditions. Heavy fire was venting from the side C 1 story addition section with extension up wards into the 3sty original building. The OIC ordered all interior companies out of the structure for a defensive attack. Once all of the heavy overlapping fire was knocked down command allowed the firefighters to return inside to open up and extinguish the hot spots. The fire intensified again and trapped companies on the upper floors and a mayday was sounded. The FAST team promptly raised Ladder 2's stick to the window and rescued these firefighters before the situation became worse. Once again, another defensive attack was used to knock down the heavy fire. The OIC placed the fire under control around 2115hrs. The RI State Fire Marshal's Office had several investigators on scene to determine origin and cause. All 16 occupants were safely evacuated without incident. The building sustained heavy fire and water damage and will likely have to be razed. All 17 of the city's fire apparatus were summoned to the scene with mutual aid covering the empty firehouses.