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April 24, 2006

Cigarette may have caused fire at Newport resort

NEWPORT -- Fire officials believe a cigarette butt may have caused a blaze at the Inn on Long Wharf yesterday.

"It looks like it was probably a discarded cigarette, but it's still under investigation," said Newport Fire Department Deputy Chief Joseph Donovan.

Fire crews responded to the waterfront resort at about 2:30 a.m. yesterday. Flames had already covered some of the building's exterior, extending four stories to the roof.

A sprinkler system prevented the fire from entering the building, Donovan said. The was some smoke and water damage, but no fire damage to the interior of the building, according to Donovan. The total damage is estimated at between $300,000 and $500,000.

Roughly 80 people who were staying in the 40-room resort were temporarily moved to the Fairfield Inn across the street. They were allowed to return to the Inn on Long Wharf yesterday by 9 a.m., Donovan said.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:34 PM | Permalink

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