News Summary
Providence firefighters successfully put out a fire this morning at a three-story abandoned building on Pine Street. The incident, which raised safety concerns among local residents, has a troubling history of previous fires. Authorities are investigating the cause, especially after surveillance footage showed a suspicious individual near the property shortly before the flames erupted. Community members are advocating for the demolition of the vacant buildings due to ongoing safety risks.
Providence firefighters successfully extinguished a fire this morning in a three-story abandoned building located on Pine Street. The fire department reported that there were no injuries related to the incident that unfolded at a location known for previous dangerous occurrences. The building has a troubling history, with the Providence Fire Department having responded to multiple fire-related calls at this site in the past.
This morning’s fire marks yet another alarming event at the property, which has seen multiple emergency responses, including incidents in June 2024 and April 2025. The cause of the current fire is still under investigation by authorities. Surveillance footage reviewed by officials shows an unidentified individual walking between the two vacant properties shortly before the flames erupted, adding to the concern surrounding the area.
Local residents have expressed persistent worries about safety in the vicinity. Dorys Breton, a resident near 431 Pine Street, noted frequent disturbances at the property. Her concerns led her to report suspicious activities to the police, urging for the building to be boarded up. Within 48 hours of her report, the latest fire broke out, underscoring the urgency of neighborhood apprehensions.
This is not the first time the properties have generated troubling headlines. An investigation into a previous fire in June 2024 revealed it was an intentional act, though the individual responsible remains unidentified. Further adding to the troubling history, a significant fire caused serious damage to the adjacent building at 433 Pine Street in May 2023.
Recent data from fire responses indicates that since February 2025, firefighters have attended to three emergencies involving the two Pine Street properties. In parallel, local law enforcement, specifically the Providence Police, have recorded six responses to incidents occurring at these locations. The persistence of such incidents has motivated calls for proactive measures from both community members and local officials.
Residents like Breton are advocating for the demolition of the vacant properties, emphasizing the safety risks associated with the ongoing disregard for the building’s condition. Both buildings have been cited for violations related to fire damage, with city officials noting that the owners have not taken sufficient action to remedy the situation. The local community faces an ongoing challenge due to the obsolescence and hazardous nature of these structures.
The fire service’s reaction to the developments underlines the urgency of the situation. Reports of previous fire damage and the recent incident only heighten the necessity for a systematic response to the issues raised within the community. As investigators continue to work on identifying the cause of today’s fire, the fate of the abandoned buildings on Pine Street hangs in the balance, with continued pressure from residents for accountability and remedial action from property owners.
This latest blaze highlights systemic concerns about vacant properties in urban settings, their impact on public safety, and the pressing need for effective measures to mitigate the hazards they represent to communities. As the investigation unfolds, residents remain watchful, advocating for both safety and improved conditions in their neighborhood.
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Additional Resources
- ABC6: Providence Firefighters Respond to Abandoned Building
- Wikipedia: Vacant Property
- WPRI: Person Survives Falling 30 Feet Through Floor in Providence
- Google Search: Abandoned Buildings Safety Measures
- Brown Daily Herald: Impact Center’s Historic Church Looks to Rebuild
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- Turn to 10: Neighbors Concerned After Frequent Fires at 2 Vacant Properties in Providence
- Google News: Providence Fire Department
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF 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.
