Newport This Week

Fire Damages Wayfinder Hotel


Firefighters from across Aquidneck Island were called in to battle a four-alarm fire that broke out on May 23 at the Wayfinder Hotel on Admiral Kalbfus Road.

Responding to the scene between 8 and 8:26 p.m. were firefighters from Middletown, Portsmouth, Naval Station Newport, Bristol, Warren, North Kingston, Narragansett, Snug Harbor and East Greenwich. Warwick and North Kingstown firefighters also provided station coverage to cover calls in the city.

The hotel was evacuated as fire could be seen coming from the front side of the building, between the first and second floors. Firefighters reported high heat and heavy smoke.

The fire swiftly moved through void spaces between floors, which made for difficult access. Three Newport firefighters sustained shoulder and leg injuries, although none were life-threatening. A fourth firefighter fell through a hole in a fourth-floor unit, but was able to be retrieved without injury.

The Red Cross, Providence Canteen and Rhode Island EMA all provided supplementary assistance. The fire is under investigation.

 

 

Wayfinder Hotel, Newport RI, May 23, 2022, Keith Henry, Newport This Week

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