CNN
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A massive fire ripped through a historic hotel in the nation’s smallest state’s smallest town Friday night, leaving the area without limited water and power and prompting a state of emergency on Block Island, Rhode Island.
Multiple agencies responded to a fire at the Harborside Inn Hotel in New Shoreham with all guests on board. Discharged safely And officials urged visitors to avoid the area.
Responders have been on site since Sunday morning, while water and power are being restored to nearby businesses, June Yang, manager of Black Island Reservations, which manages the Harborside Inn and other nearby hotels, told CNN.
Ferry service within the island was also restored by Sunday morning Black Island Chamber of Commerce.
New Shoreham It boasts the distinction of being the smallest city in the state, and the logistics of getting to the island, which required crews, hampered first responders to the fire. boat to the island to provide resources to fight the fire.
“Black Island has a fire department, but this is the first time we’ve actually had to respond there,” said South Kingstown Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bradley, according to the Black Island Chamber of Commerce. “It took about an hour for the crews and half an hour for the Coast Guard boat.”
“I’ve never heard of anything like this happening here before,” Yang said. “As old as these buildings are, they’ve been able to maintain them over the years. It’s devastating to find something like this has happened.
The chamber of commerce said the hotel roof collapsed around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and first responders were able to extinguish the fire late Saturday morning, according to a Facebook post. Black Island Tourism.
The Block Island Chamber of Commerce declared a state of emergency in a Facebook post Saturday morning, saying the town had limited water and no electricity.
According to the New Shoreham City Manager, morning ferries to the island were also suspended Saturday morning. Maryanne Crawford.
“Unfortunately there was a terrible fire at the Harborside Inn last night and we will not be able to reopen for the rest of the season,” one Saturday. Facebook registration Reading from the Harbor Inn Grill located at the Harborside Inn. “Our staff and everyone in the building is safe, which is paramount.”
The sight of the grand white building with its Victorian harbor charm has greeted visitors traveling to the island for more than a century, Yang said.
“Our building is right in front of the water, and people get off the boat,” Yang said. “People know where it is. Many people stay here.
The central part of the building collapsed. The roof is basically off. There is a lot of damage at the back of the building,” he added. “It’s not completely burnt, but it’s burnt significantly. We’ll have to wait a good while to see what we can salvage.
Block Island Reservations’ central office was located at the site of the fire, and their cleaning supplies and inventory were damaged, prompting the business to cancel and recall reservations for all properties on the island through Aug. 24, Yang said.
As the state deployed resources to respond to the fire, it faced a tornado and severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.
“We are incredibly grateful for the tireless work of emergency responders across the state over the past 48 hours, from responding to yesterday’s unprecedented hurricane to helping to contain the deadly wildfires on Block Island.” Gov. Dan McGee said Saturday.
McGee said his team is working with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce to provide assistance to small businesses affected by the fire.
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