Overview
- The three-family home at 78 Plain St. exploded around 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, was declared a total loss, and two adjacent houses sustained significant fire damage.
- A 25-year-old mother suffered severe burns and her 2-year-old daughter was seriously injured; both were transported to Rhode Island hospitals and remain hospitalized.
- Fire Chief Steven Lavigne said a preliminary investigation points to a natural gas leak as the likely cause, with the exact ignition point still under review and no foul play suspected.
- Eversource shut off gas and power as a precaution, reported no ongoing public safety risk, and the city opened a warming center for displaced residents.
- Heavy snow from this week’s blizzard complicated access for first responders as neighbors, including an off-duty firefighter, helped evacuate people before crews secured the scene.