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January 30, 2006

Elderly tenants return to Providence high-rise after check for fumes

PROVIDENCE - Residents of an elderly housing apartment who were evacuated because of noxious fumes last night were able to return to their rooms early this morning, according to the Providence Housing Authority.

Tenants were evacuated from their rooms at Parenti Villa around 9 p.m. after residents on different floors, including the 4th, 9th and 17th "smelled something," according to Domenic Schiano, deputy director of the Providence Housing Authority.

With tenants waiting in a community room, firefighters checked out the entire building, opening windows and airing it out, before deciding the tenants could return after midnight, Schiano said.

Several people reported trouble breathing, but only one was taken to the hospital.

Firefighters last night suspected that somebody had used pepper spray in the building, but that hasn't been confirmed, according to Schiano.

"It was some sort of an odor that was affecting people, and we just don't know what it is at this time," Schiano said.

About 200 people live at the 16-story building.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 9:06 AM | Permalink