Investigators Search for Cause of Fatal Rhode Island Fire
Fire investigators need to test samples from a Rhode Island home before announcing the cause of a blaze that killed five people, including a 7-month-old girl.
State Fire Marshal Jack Chartier says Saturday’s blaze in Warwick appears to be accidental. It’s among the worst in Rhode Island since a 2003 nightclub fire in neighboring West Warwick killed 100 people.
Chartier says investigators found one working smoke detector in the basement. Investigators had said earlier that they had not found any working smoke detectors.
Those killed included 21-year-old Amanda Villeneuve and her baby, Annabelle, 20-year-old Dan Janik and 24-year-old Nicholas Jillson. A 20-year-old woman who died hasn’t been publicly identified.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Popular Today
- LA County Told to Pause $4B in Abuse Payouts as DA Probes Fraud Claims
- FM Using AI to Elevate Claims to Deliver More Than Just Cost Savings
- NHTSA Expands Probe into 1.3M Ford F-150 Pickups Over Transmission Issues
- Canceled FEMA Review Council Vote Leaves Flood Insurance Reforms in Limbo
Popular This Month