Fire Collapses Flooring in Central Avenue Home

A three-story home on Central Avenue was engulfed in flames Thursday afternoon, collapsing the third floor of the multi-unit building.China Laminate FlooringReal Wood FlooringA basement fire was originally reported; by the time fire companies made it to the scene the blaze had made its way to the third floor. Firefighters were told to evacuate the premises and doused the building using ladder trucks.

Residents of 231 Central Ave. were removed from the building. According to Fire Chief Joseph Klucznik, they were safely treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation.Egineered wooden floors ELM-9711An East Providence firefighter was transported to Rhode Island Hospital after he hurt his hand while battling the fire.The owner and family members were visably upset as they watched firefighters chainsaw into sides of the home to check for remaining embers.

Companies from Pawtucket, Barrington and Seekonk, MA were on the scene.If the surface of the hardwood is in good condition, the floors can be stabilized and supported by adding bracing under the hardwood. From the crawl space or basement, find the areas in need of repair. Measure the areas to be repaired in between the floor joists and cut a piece or pieces of half-inch plywood to support the flooring above.