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January 31, 2008

One dead, 6 households affected in 4 fires across R.I.

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Journal photo/ Mary Murphy
East Providence firefighters clean up after fighting a fatal fire at 39 Peck Ave. in the Riverside section this morning.

In less than 24 hours, one person has died, two have been hospitalized, and two firefighters suffered injuries and six households affected in fires across the state.

A 42-year-old man died and his mother was injured after fire broke out around 6 a.m. at a house on Peck Avenue, according to the East Providence Fire Department.

East Providence Fire Chief Joseph J. Klucznik identified the dead man as James Marinelli.

Marinelli's mother, Theresa Marinelli, was rescued by firefighters through a second-story window of the home at 39 Peck Ave., the fire department said. She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with burns on her hands and smoke inhalation.

Nadine Dwyer, 41, lives down the street from the Marinelli's. She said she used to shovel the Marinellis' driveway in the winter.

Dwyer said she was awake early this morning when the fire started. "The whole sky filled with black smoke," she said from her front stoop today. "It smelled really bad, too. You could see smoke coming out of the roof."

Last last night in Charlestown, two firefighters and a homeowner were injured in a house fire off Route 1.

A call came in at about 11:45 p.m. from 19 Kings Factory Road reporting a chimney fire, according to a statement from the Charlestown police.

When Charlestown rescue arrived, they reported “extremely heavy” smoke on the first floor and flames reaching the second floor.

The house’s owner, Russell G. Spears, was taken to Westerly Hospital for smoke inhalation and admitted into the intensive-care unit for observation.

Two Charlestown firefighters were injured on the scene; one fell on the icy ground, but was not treated. Another firefighter was taken to South County Hospital for chest pains.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie Jefferson

The state fire marshal is investigating and has not released an official cause. But, according to Charlestown Police statement, the fire may have been sparked by a chimney fire that spread through the house.

Firefighters from the Dunn’s Corners and Bradford Fire Districts of Westerly, and the Hope Valley Fire Department responded.

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Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Rosemary Michalski, bundled up in a blanket against the cold, waits with firefighters as crews put out a fire in the basement of her home on Central Street in Central Falls this morning.

In Central Falls, a fire broke out at a home on Central Street this morning.

The fire department said a faulty boiler was to blame.The fire was contained to the basement.

Resident Rosemary Michalski will have to find another place to stay, at least temporarily. The Red Cross is helping her.

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Journal photo/ Bill Murphy
Providence firefighters look out of a third-story window as they take a break from working a fire on Sackett Street this morning.

In Providence, three families were displaced by a fire on Sackett Street, which the Fire Department said was started by burning candles on the third floor.

Damage was confined to the third floor with the bottom two floors sustaining water damage.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 3:17 PM | Permalink

January 31, 2008

One dead, 6 households affected in 4 fires across R.I.

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