A late-night fire tore through Castle Hill Inn on Thursday, forcing an evacuation and drawing firefighters from across Rhode Island as crews battled flames amid icy, bitter conditions.
At 9:33 p.m., the Newport Fire Department was dispatched to 590 Ocean Ave. after a fire alarm activation. When crews arrived, smoke and fire were already pushing through the roof at the rear of the historic seaside property.
Firefighters immediately evacuated all guests and occupants while attack teams raced inside to conduct primary and secondary searches. Crews launched an aggressive interior attack on the third floor and attic, where the fire was concentrated.
As the blaze intensified, a second alarm was struck at 9:56 p.m., triggering a regional response. Mutual aid companies from Newport Naval Station, Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, North Kingstown, Bristol and Kingston responded, along with the Providence Canteen to support firefighters on scene and provide coverage across the community.
After more than two hours of coordinated firefighting, the fire was declared under control at 12:08 a.m. Investigators from the Newport Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office then began examining the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mutual aid departments were gradually released starting around 12:40 a.m., while Newport firefighters remained on scene through the morning to assist investigators and monitor for lingering hot spots.
Hotel management was able to accommodate all displaced guests on the property. No estimates were immediately available on the extent of fire, smoke or water damage.
Despite freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions, officials reported no injuries.
* Note – A previous version of this article said five-alarm fire when it was a five-alarm activation.
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