Three Rhode Island firefighters were taken to the hospital after working to put out a burning triple-decker home Sunday.
The fire broke out at about 9 a.m. on the third floor of the residential building in Providence, WPRI-TV reports. With outdoor temperatures reaching the 90s, several fire companies were called in to help battle the blaze as the extreme heat presented challenges for crews.
“It’s a difficult day," Deputy Assistant Chief Brian Mahoney told WPRI. "It’s a very hot day. We can’t leave them in there that long with this gear long in the sun, never mind a burning building, so we brought in multiple companies so that we can get relief."
Three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries while trying to put out the blaze. They were taken to the hospital, along with a civilian who suffered smoke inhalation.
Heavy flames caused extensive damage to the home's third floor, and "the building at this point is uninhabitable," Mahoney told WPRI. Residents were able to escape the burning structure on their own, and the fire displaced 15 people.
