Overview
- Fire officials say a preliminary probe points to natural gas as the cause, and they report no indication of foul play.
- The explosion around 9:50 a.m. at 78 Plain Street destroyed a three-family home, displaced eight residents, and heavily damaged two neighboring houses.
- A 25-year-old mother and her 2-year-old daughter suffered severe burns after the mother reentered the home to reach her child; both remain hospitalized in Rhode Island.
- Eversource shut off gas service to the affected property and nearby homes as a precaution and is assisting local and state investigators, who report no broader public safety risk.
- Heavy snow from a recent blizzard complicated access and firefighting, the city opened a relief center for displaced neighbors, and community fundraisers are supporting affected families.