Portsmouth Firefighters Complete Rescue Training

Members of C Platoon recently conducted some technical rescue training.

Portsmouth Firefighters Battle RV Blaze

A motor home was reportedly on fire early Saturday morning.

The Portsmouth Fire Department received a 911 call early Saturday morning at 6:41 a.m. reporting a motor home on fire in the driveway of 477 Turnpike Ave.  Portsmouth Fire Engines 1, 2, and 3 were dispatched and arrived to find a large recreational vehicle well involved in fire in close proximity to the residence.  Two people were inside the motor home at the time of the blaze. Both individuals escaped without injury. "Crews pulled two handlines, attacking the fire and protecting the home from further damage," according to a press release. The RV sustained heavy damage, but the house only sustained scorched shingles "due to the great work of the responders," according to the release.  Crews were able to clear the scene in about one hour. 

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UPDATED: Vehicle Strikes Utility Pole During Morning Storm

A vehicle struck a utility pole on Cory's Lane on Wednesday morning.

Updated at 2 p.m.  A utility pole was struck by a single vehicle Wednesday morning as snow and sleet blanketed area roadways.  Portsmouth police and fire crews were called to Cory's Lane. The vehicle struck the utility pole around 7:30 a.m. near Carnegie Abbey's entrance.  According to Lt. Brian Peters, the vehicle slid on snow on the roadway, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle then crossed the roadway's double, yellow lines and hit the pole, causing it to snap.  No injuries were reported. National Grid responded to replace the utility pole. 

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Portsmouth Firefighters Investigate Possible 'Explosions'

Portsmouth firefighters were asked to investigate after the U.S. Coast Guard received complaints.

Portsmouth firefighters investigation complaints of "explosions" around Naragansett Bay just after midnight Tuesday.  According to Capt. Michael O'Brien, spokesman for the Portsmouth Fire Department, three crew members on the boat Portsmouth Marine 2 took part in a search of Narragansett Bay at the request of the US Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard received multiple reports of “explosions and flashes” on the bay.  Marine 2, along with several other communities, were dispatched just after midnight.  After a two-hour search, the marine units were unable to locate the source of the explosions. Did you see any explosions along Narragansett Bay Tuesday morning? Tell us in the comment section below. 

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Breaking: Boat Fire Breaks Out at Portsmouth's Pirate Cove Marina

Area fire departments respond to two boats on fire at Pirate Cove Marina just after 8pm Wednesday.

Fire departments from around the Aquidneck Island area responded to Pirates Cove Marina in Portsmouth just after 8pm Wednesday after a report of two boats on fire. There was no immediate word if anybody was aboard the boats at the time of the fire or if any injuries had been reported. At least four area fire departments were on scene trying to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding boats. Local Editor Sandy McGee is on scene gathering more information. Please check back for further updates as they develop.

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UPDATED: Police Search for Tenant After Prudence Island House Fire

Members of the Portsmouth Fire Department battled a structure fire on Prudence Island this morning.

Updated at 10:34 a.m.  Corrected at 11:25: A previous version of this article reported an incorrect address. The fire occurred at 0151 Concord Ave. Portsmouth fire crews battled a fast-moving house fire on Prudence Island this morning. The blaze completely destroyed the single-family home on Concord Avenue.  Police are currently searching for Shannon Cabellas, a man who was renting the property, according to The Sakonnet Times.  Police detectives and members of the Rhode Island Fire Marshal's Office are currently on scene investigating this fire. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) was also called to the island Tuesday to assist with the investigation.  The cause of the blaze is unknown. It is also unknown if anyone was inside…

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Portsmouth Fire Department Pays Tribute to 9/11 Victims, Rescuers

The Portsmouth Fire Department paid tribute to 9/11 victims and rescuers during the 11th anniversary on Tuesday.

Citizens throughout the country paused Tuesday to reflect and remember those fallen 11 years ago today during what has become known as one of the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history.  Thousands gathered in New York at the World Trade Center site, as well as in Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA, to remember the nearly 3,000 victims killed on 9/11.  In Portsmouth, members of the Portsmouth Fire Department memorialized those fallen with a tribute flag hung outside the station on this, the 11th anniversary.  The tribute can be seen above.  Are you doing anything today to honor/memoralize those fallen on 9/11? Tell us your plans in the comment section below. 

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UPDATE: Girl, 13, Safe After Oak Street Home Catches Fire

Firefighters quickly extinguished the the flames, but smoke was still visible as of 9:30 a.m.

"I just lost everything I had," said Damian Woodlyn after a fire heavily damaged his Oak Street house Friday morning.  Portsmouth firefighters extinguished the fire on Oak Street just after 9:30 a.m. While the flames appeared out, heavy smoke was still seen flowing from the single-story house, which sits next to the Island Park playground. Police cordoned off the street around the home while firefighters continue to work.  Updated at 10:50 a.m. A Portsmouth police officer was the first to arrive Friday morning at 20 Oak St.  A girl, age 13, was home alone when the fire began. The blaze is believed to have started in an air conditioning unit, but this is still under investigation.  The girl quickly got out of the house and called 911.  "I …

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Sailing School Says 4 Boats Capsized Before Rescue

Portsmouth Youth Sailing tells how 12 children were saved after their boats went adrift Tuesday on the Sakonnet River.

A previous report stated a young woman helped rescue eight children, but Patch has now learned two instructors were responsible for rescuing the young sailors.  Portsmouth Youth Sailing resumed its summer camp Wednesday, only a day after 12 children were rescued after their boats went adrift on the Sakonnet River.  Ted Gersen, president of Portsmouth Youth Sailing, provided clarification in an e-mail about what he called an "unfortunate incident" at Sandy Point Beach Tuesday.  According to Gersen, Portsmouth Youth Sailing held its Captain Camp at Sandy Point Beach yesterday. Approximately 12 children and three instructors took part in the program.  After land activities and a required swim test, "instructors launched six Optimist Dinghy …

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Couple Extricated From Vehicle After Rollover Crash [VIDEO]

A total of three people were transported by ambulance following a motor vehicle crash Saturday morning at the intersection of West Main Road and Union Street.

Three people were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital Saturday morning following a rollover crash on West Main Road at Union Street.  A silver, Toyota RAV4 landed on its driver's side around 11:08 a.m. at the corner of West Main Road and Redwood Road, just across from Union Street.   Gathering on the corner, neighbors watched as residents quickly came to the aid of the victims. Before emergency crews arrived, at least a half dozen people could be seen directing traffic at the busy intersection, as well as standing on top and around the rolled-over van, talking to the two adult victims trapped inside.  Police and Rescue personnel arrived a short time later, directing traffic and quickly working to extricate the two victims.  A man…

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