EAST PROVIDENCE — A fire Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, displaced 11 residents of a house located at 803 Willett Ave.
East Providence Fire and Police Department personnel are investigating the cause of the small blaze, which officials say started in a closet on the second floor of the two story residence. The upper level sustained minor damage from the fire while the first floor suffered some water damage. The call came at approximately 8 p.m.
“We’re investigating this as a suspicious fire,” EPPD Lieutenant Raymond Blinn said at the scene. “No one was injured and the fire was contained rather quickly.”
The house is run by the East Bay Center and is used as a group home for adults. Each of the residents affected by the fire is being housed elsewhere temporarily. The home could be suitable for the residents to return in a few days pending repair. According to the Center’s website, it offers “comprehensive psychiatric and counseling services to people who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.”
Later in the evening Lt. Blinn said police plan to file a first degree arson charge against a suspect in matter. More details are expected to be released Thursday, Nov. 13.