At 5:41pm, on a rainy and chilly day, the Cumberland Hill Fire Department was dispatched to the rear of 2970 Mendon Rd Unit #101, the Maplewoods Farm Condominiums for a reported brush fire. Cumberland dispatch than began receiving multiple calls for a building fire and a first alarm assignment was filled in. Maplewoods has 189 units within its complex, with 7-8 units per rowhouse. A working fire was struck by an off-duty fire captain while Cumberland units were clearing from another working fire in the southern end of town. A 2nd alarm was transmitted by Cumberland Hill Deputy Chief Ron Dubois, bringing in mutual aid from Woonsocket, Lincoln, Central Falls and North Attleboro (MA). The Providence Canteen unit responded as well.

Units on scene found heavy fire in the rear of unit #101 on the first floor porch area with extension to the second floor. Cumberland Hill E-41 under the command of Lt. Nick Anderson (photographer's brother) stretched a 2 ½” attack line and initiated an aggressive interior attack. The main body of the fire was quickly knocked down. A primary search was conducted and turned up negative; the occupants were not home at the time of the fire. Units remained on scene for a while overhauling hotspots and checking for hidden pockets of fire. The fire was contained to the unit of origin with the adjacent unit receiving minor smoke damage. The state fire marshal's office is currently investigating the cause of the blaze.