News Summary
A 42-year-old Cranston man, Joel Tavarez, was arrested for arson following a crash on I-95 in Providence. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old student was charged for setting a fire at East Providence High School, and a residential fire displaced 12 people in North Providence. Authorities are investigating these incidents to enhance safety in the community.
Providence, Rhode Island – A 42-year-old Cranston man, Joel Tavarez, was arrested on Saturday for arson in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Pawtucket Police Department. The arrest was made around 6:30 p.m. following a crash on Interstate 95 in Providence, as reported by the Rhode Island State Police in a media release.
The police arrested Tavarez at the scene of the crash, where he was subsequently processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks before being transferred to the Pawtucket Police Department. There has been no immediate response from the Pawtucket police regarding further details on the arson case.
In a separate incident, a 16-year-old student was taken into custody for setting fire to toilet paper in a restroom at East Providence High School. This incident was brought to light on Wednesday evening when a video of the act began circulating on social media. The East Providence Police Department, in collaboration with the East Providence Fire Department and school administrators, launched an immediate investigation into the matter.
The 16-year-old is now facing charges of arson and vandalism as the investigation continues to unfold. Additional details about the incident and its implications for school safety were not disclosed.
In another fire-related occurrence on Friday morning, a residential fire on Woonasquatucket Avenue in North Providence led to the displacement of 12 individuals. Firefighters responded promptly to the scene around 9 a.m. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed that two cats were found unharmed after firefighters extinguished the fire, which caused extensive damage to the bedroom of the home but was not classified as a total loss.
The events involving arson and fire incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding safety both in residential areas and within schools. Authorities are actively investigating these incidents to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Student Arrested for Arson at East Providence High School
Rhode Island Officials Heighten Security Amid Political Violence
Man Arrested for Vandalizing East Providence Pride Crosswalk
North Providence Woman Arrested for Arson After Fireworks Incident
Additional Resources
- Patch: Teen Student Sets Fire To Toilet Paper at East Providence HS
- Google Search: East Providence arson
- ABC6: 12 Displaced in North Providence Fire
- Google Scholar: North Providence fire
- Turnto10: 4 Displaced After Fire in Providence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- USA Today: Rhode Island Black Church Fire
- Google News: Rhode Island church fire
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
