There will soon be demolition of the historic Block Island inn destroyed by fire over the weekend, 12 News has learned.
Late Friday night, the National Register of Historic Places-listed Harborside Inn caught fire.
Fire departments across the state responded aggressively to the fire. The U.S. Coast Guard sent firefighters from Point Judith to the island, and the Block Island Ferry transported ladder trucks, engines, and additional equipment.
Overnight, nearly 80 firefighters were rushed to the island from the mainland, according to Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin.
“The response was unbelievable,” he said. “Kudos to all involved.”
McLaughlin tells 12 News the hotel will be demolished later this week after being deemed a total loss.
Defining the situation as a life and safety hazard, he said, “it is an unstable building at this point.”
According to McLaughlin, the fire began near an exhaust vent on the first floor of the hotel and quickly spread to the attic.
“It’s an old building,” McLaughlin said. “The wood is old, like most of the buildings over there. Once a fire starts … it just spreads.”
The cause of the incident remains unknown, and no one was injured.
New Shoreham Town Manager Maryanne Crawford told 12 News that most of the displaced hotel guests have since left the island or have found other accommodations.
The fire affected at least 10 nearby businesses, Crawford said, adding that it is sad to see it occur.
On Monday, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos visited the island to assess the damage. She said the state would assist the affected businesses and help them recover.
Crawford urged residents to conserve water until the water supply returns to normal after the town declared an emergency over the weekend.
Block Island Ferry’s schedule has since resumed normal operation, but additional manpower and equipment were shipped back and forth over the weekend.
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