EAST PROVIDENCE — A fire broke out at 208 Warren Ave. in city mid-morning Tuesday, Sept. 3, leaving both the business at the location and the occupants in two apartments scurrying for safety.
East Providence Fire Department Ladders Nos. 1 and 3 along with Engine No. 1 were at the scene as were EPFD rescue, East Providence Police and City Building Inspector Albert Quatrucci.
According to Acting EPFD Chief Oscar Elm asian, the fire started on the first floor of the brick facade building, which houses the Warren Avenue Liquor Mart at ground level and apartment units on both the second and third floors of the three-story edifice.
“We arrived to find heavy smoke emanating from the west side of the building and from all three floors,” Chief Elmasian added. “We believe the fire appears to have started on the first floor and extended into the second.”
Neighbors in the area said they saw smoke rushing out of the building’s electrical connections at approximately 10:50 a.m. One local resident said her lights “flickered.” She then saw the smoke and heard sirens of the approaching public safety vehicles.
“It went up so quick. It was just a matter of seconds,” the female neighbor, who wished not to be named, said.
The building, according to the neighbor and confirmed by officials, was occupied by the operators of the liquor store and their family, including a pregnant woman, at the time of the blaze. No injuries were reported.
