A man in his early fifties was killed in a structure fire at the Pineapple Inn early Sunday morning, fire officials said. A firefighter sustained a smoke inhalation injury and was transported to Newport Hospital, where he was treated and released. 

The Newport Fire Department responded to the fire when it was reported via 911 by a caller from the inn after the fire alarm went off. 

First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the front door and windows of a single motel room at the inn. Firefighters entered using the front door and knocked down the main body of fire to find that the fire had extended into the common attic. The roof was ventilated, which stopped the fire from traveling throughout the attic of the entire structure.

Sixteen firefighters from three stations fought the fire for 20 minutes before it was declared under control. 

All of the twelve guest rooms were occupied at the time of the fire. The heavy fire and smoke damage was confined to the single room of origin and approximately one hundred feet of the covered entryway located just outside the room’s entry door. Adjacent rooms suffered only minor smoke damage. 

According to a report by ABC6, the Red Cross is currently housing eight adults and one child who were displaced after the fire, which broke out around 12 a.m. on Sunday.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by members of the Newport Fire Marshal’s Office, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Newport Police Department. Identification of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin. Damage to the structure is estimated to be $150,000.