NEWPORT — Authorities say that a fire that broke out in Newport on Tuesday remains under investigation and is considered suspicious.
At around 11:00 a.m. the Newport City Fire Department responded to a report of a house filled with smoke at 136 Hill Street.
According to the report, there was evidence of a small fire in the basement area that one of the homeowners had extinguished by himself.
Yvan Parenteau Jr. told fire personnel that he was outside the residence when he heard a smoke detector activated inside the residence.
Parenteau stated that he found embers in the basement ceiling, and was able to keep the fire from spreading.
No one was reported to be inside the residence prior to Parenteau noticing the smoke and fire.
There were no injuries and the house sustained only minor smoke and fire damage.
Chief Jamie Leclair called for assistance with an origin and cause investigation.
Investigators from the Fire & Explosion Unit responded to the scene and opened an investigation, but were unable to locate any competent ignition sources in the area of origin.
They say that the cause remains under investigation and is considered suspicious.
