Crime & Safety
Massive Blaze On RI's Block Island Destroys Historic Hotel
A fire broke out around midnight Friday at the Harborside Inn, temporarily suspending Block Island Ferry service to the island.
BLOCK ISLAND, RI — A massive overnight fire ripped through a historic hotel on Rhode Island's Block Island, knocking out power, canceling ferry service and prompting officials to warn travelers to avoid the popular vacation destination.
A fire broke out around midnight Friday at the Harborside Inn, according to the Block Island Chamber of Commerce and reports. In a statement shared on social media, chamber officials said 50 firefighters and four ladder trucks were brought to battle the blaze at the historic hotel on Water Street.
Chamber officials said it took fire crews more than six hours to extinguish the flames, which were limited to the hotel. The building's roof caved in around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, officials said.
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According to a report by the Block Island Times, crews were still working to put out hot spots around 10:45 a.m. Saturday. According to the Times, the fire "all but destroyed" the building, significantly damaging the second and third floors.
No one was injured in the blaze, according to the Times.
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The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, chamber officials said the community was in a "state of emergency" and asked visitors to avoid the island.
"There is limited water and no power in town," officials wrote. "Our traditional ferries transported emergency vehicles throughout the night to assist."
According to Block Island Ferry's website, the fire also temporarily canceled ferry service. Pt. Judith high-speed ferry service resumed at 1:20 p.m. Saturday, while Newport high-speed ferry departures were canceled.
As of 5:45 p.m. Saturday, the following schedule changes were in place for traditional ferry services:
Departing Pt. Judith- 6:45 p.m. scheduled ferry departing at 7 p.m.
- 8 p.m. scheduled ferry departing at 8 p.m.
Departing Block Island
- 6:15 p.m. scheduled ferry departing at 6 p.m.
- 7:30 p.m. scheduled ferry departing at 7:30 p.m.
- 8:30 p.m. scheduled ferry departing at 8:30 p.m.
Check the current status of ferry service online.
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