Watch: Video shows explosion during Providence house fire
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Crews responded to a fire at a two-story home on Lubec Street in Providence Monday afternoon.
by: Jusolyn Flower, Kate Wilkinson, Lauren Brill
Video shared with 12 News by Lamar Harris shows a large explosion at the scene. In the footage, smoke can be seen rising above the building before a burst of fire creates an even larger plume.
Deputy Assistant Chief Robert Butler said crews were called to the home around 12:45 p.m. and arrived to find heavy fire in the basement.
He said the location of the fire created challenges for crews, particularly because it was impinging on electrical lines.
“We couldn’t let anybody in the basement because there was so much water in the basement, and with electricity, that’s a high hazard for us,” Butler explained.
Rhode Island Energy was called to the scene and cut power to the home, allowing firefighters to fully extinguish the flames, according to Butler.
Butler said it took about an hour and a half and approximately 60 firefighters to get the fire under control. He added that while the home was damaged, it can be repaired.
Two families live in the home, but Butler confirmed all eight occupants made it out safely. No civilians were injured, though one firefighter was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Both families are temporarily displaced and being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Butler said propane tanks were involved, and one exploded during the fire. The exact cause remains under investigation.
