Raging Fire Destroys Condo Building

Photo: Everett Trainer

Firefighters are at the scene of a major fire that erupted and tore through Westgate Condominiums in East Greenwich Wednesday morning, leaving behind a destroyed apartment building and numerous displaced residents who have lost pets and possessions.

The fire broke out at around 10:30 a.m. and thick black smoke soon could be seen for miles as the blaze quickly spread to numerous apartments.

The fire has caused a portion of a wall in Building C to collapse. The fire was contained to one of three buildings at the site, located at 754 Quaker Lane.

There are no reports of any injuries at this time but firefighters continue to work the scene and the cause of the fire remains under invesigation.

Residents who escaped the inferno said they believed the fire might have started in a vacant third-floor apartment. Many ran outside still in their pajamas as alarms went off and flames began roaring out of windows and balconies. Patti Cahir, 50, told the Providence Journal that she was leaving to go to the vet when she heard the alarms, saw flames and banged on her neighbors doors on the third floor.

The fire caused the closure of Route 2 north at Division Street in East Greenwich at around 3 p.m.

The blaze brought firefighters from across Rhode Island, including crews from Jamestown, Carolina, West Greenwich, West Kingston, North Scituate, Moosup Valley, Hope Valley and others.

The building contained 38 units.

More details will be posted as they become available.