Massive Blaze Damages Newly Renovated Rhode Island Hotel

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NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Three firefighters were injured battling a major fire at a recently renovated hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, fire officials said.

The fire at the Wayfinder Hotel was reported at about 8 p.m. Monday and crews remained on the scene on Tuesday morning.

Nearly 100 firefighters from multiple municipalities responded to the blaze and all guests made it out safely, fire Chief Harp Donnelly IV told The Newport Daily News. The Red Cross responded to assist displaced guests find new accommodations.

The cause remains under investigation.

The four-story hotel has nearly 200 guest rooms, according it its website.

The injured firefighters are expected to recover, Deputy Chief Mark Riding said at the scene Tuesday.

“We had one firefighter go through the floor. He was rescued by the crew that was with him. We don’t know if it was from the heat or the water weight that was causing collapses,” he said. “As soon as the firefighter went through the floor all companies were pulled out.”

Hotel ownership in a statement said they were “deeply grateful” for the efforts of firefighters.

“With the support of all the first responders and our local community members, we can confirm that all employees and guests were safely evacuated,” said Phil Hospod, CEO and founder of Dovetail+Co, which owns the Wayfinder. “At this time, we are solely focused on the wellbeing of our guests and employees.”

The hotel reopened in the summer of 2020 after a $16 million renovation project.

Elsewhere in New England, the Beach Cove Waterfront Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, was destroyed by a fire on Monday night. The state fire marshal’s office is investigating.

The fire chief said no one was hurt.

The owners were at the inn, which was scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend.

About the photo: Firefighters battle a fire at a recently renovated hotel in Newport, R.I., Monday, May 23, 2022. Three firefighters were injured battling the fire at the Wayfinder Hotel. (Scott Barrett/The Newport Daily News via AP)