Kitchen fire in Providence high rise limited to one unit on 10th floor; smoke injures one occupant

PROVIDENCE — A kitchen fire on the 10th floor of the 16-floor Parenti Villa at 25 Tobey St. was quickly extinguished Tuesday evening, but the apartment's occupant was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for smoke inhalation.

Many residents of building's 194 units were outside when firefighters arrived, but there was no order to evacuate, Deputy Assistant Chief Stephen Capracotta said. Instead, residents could stay in their rooms as firefighters checked the apartments above and below, as well as the roof.

High rises are equipped with standpipes that can deliver water to any floor. Firefighters carry about 250 feet of hose to the floor that's burning and connect the hose to the building's standpipe. If the water pressure in the standpipe is too low, a fire engine can pressurize it from the ground, he said.

One a fire alarm sounds, the building's elevator goes to the first floor, where firefighters can operate it with a key. On Tuesday, they used the elevator to carry equipment to the 10th floor. 

Before leaving around 7 p.m., firefighters escorted residents back to their apartments. They also cleared smoke from the damaged unit by shooting water out through an open window, he said.

No one else was injured.

— dnaylor@providencejournal.com

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