At 11:38pm on December 2, 2008 Cumberland Fire Dispatch notified companies of a report of flames coming from a dwelling at 1150 Mendon Rd. Units arrived on scene and reported a working fire. Companies encountered a one story wood-frame unoccupied hair salon with heavy smoke present.

An initial interior attack was attempted by Cumberland Engines 22 and 41. Vertical ventilation was completed by Cumberland Truck 5. Ventilation was hampered by building construction as the pitched roof was built over an existing flat roof. The interior attack was abandoned as the fire quickly progressed and conditions began to deteriorate. Command ordered a defensive operation and Truck 5 positioned their aerial device for use of the ladder pipe. Heavy black smoke erupted from the vent hole and windows preceding heavy fire. There was a collapse of the pitched roof but the flat roof sustained the impact.

Multiple hand lines and deck guns were used to darken down the flames. Mutual aid from Lincoln responded to the scene to assist the Cumberland firefighters bring the compliment of firefighting personnel to a second alarm equivalent. Once the fire was placed under control and the building was deemed safe to reenter, firefighters conducted overhaul and assisted the investigators as needed. There were no reported injuries.

During this operation, a second reported structure fire was dispatched for a restaurant approximately a half mile away from this incident. That fire was contained to a kitchen area and was handled by reserve Cumberland and mutual aid units. Both fires are suspicious and are actively being investigated by the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office and detectives from the Cumberland Police Department.