NORTH SMITHFIELD – Firefighters with North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service were called to a blaze at a vacant structure on Eddie Dowling Highway Sunday afternoon, working for several hours to secure the scene, which is situated by a homeless encampment, according to Chief David Chartier.
Crews began getting reports of the fire, just across from Taco Bell on the busy highway, around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. No one was injured in the blaze, but Chartier noted that mutual aid was called to the scene due to lack of water in the area, and also so that firefighters could work in shifts in the extreme cold.
The chief said the house had significant fire on the first floor, with minor damage to second. Firefighters from Woonsocket, Blackstone, Lincoln, Smithfield and Burrillville reported to the two-alarm call, and while most of the blaze was extinguished within two hours, crews were on the scene until around 8 p.m.
“We had quite a bit of extra work to do to make sure the fire hadn’t gotten anywhere else,” Chartier said.
The house at 395 Eddie Dowling Highway is owned by Storage Rentals of America, and is one of several vacant structures in the area.
“It’s still an active investigation, but I will say that entire area is a hot spot for the homeless,” said Chartier, noting that another vacant structure nearby had a fire several years ago. Behind the building, he noted, are a barn and several old trailers.
“There’s signs of a homeless encampment,” said Chartier, adding that there were also signs someone may have been inside the damaged structure prior to the fire.
The chief said initial reports of gasoline at the scene turned out to be unsubstantiated. The two-story structure sits on a 3.5 acre lot owned by the storage company, and is on track to be demolished.
