WESTERLY, R.I. -- Eight people have been relocated following a fire Friday night in downtown Westerly that fire officials say started when a burning candle was left unattended in a third-floor apartment.
The blaze at 1-5 Commerce Street spread through the three-story building with a store on the ground level, said Westerly Fire Chief John MacKay. Smoke alarms sounded inside the apartments and three or four occupants escaped the building unharmed, he said. A passerby saw the blaze and pulled a fire box on the street, alerting fire fighters.
The fire consumed the third floor and roof, MacKay said, and caused significant water damage throughout. Nobody was injured in the fire, he said.
The Red Cross is assisting families with food and shelter. On Sunday, the building was being boarded up.