Fire Collapses Flooring in Central Avenue Home [VIDEO]

A three-story home on Central Avenue was engulfed in flames Thursday afternoon, collapsing the third floor of the multi-unit building.

A basement fire was originally reported; by the time fire companies made it to the scene the blaze had made its way to the third floor. Firefighters were told to evacuate the premises and doused the building using ladder trucks. 

Residents of 231 Central Ave. were removed from the building. According to Fire Chief Joseph Klucznik, they were safely treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation.

An East Providence firefighter was transported to Rhode Island Hospital after he hurt his hand while battling the fire.

The owner and family members were visably upset as they watched firefighters chainsaw into sides of the home to check for remaining embers.

Companies from Pawtucket, Barrington and Seekonk, MA were on the scene.