Fire at Assisted Living Facility Set by Resident: Police

COVENTRY, RI—The fire that broke out at an assisted living facility in Coventry early Friday morning appears to have been deliberately set by a resident who remains hospitalized and is facing criminal charges, according to police.

Coventry police said the investigation by the state Fire Marshal and Coventry police detectives determined that the fire was suspicious. The fire was contained to two separate resident rooms, police said, and extinguished quickly with ”minimal property damages and no serious injuries.”

Coventry Det. Capt. Ben Sedam said in a news release that the resident, who has not been identified, was placed in police custody after she was identified as a suspect and remains at Kent County Hospital “and criminal charges are pending.”

Police and members of the Coventry, Central Coventry, Hopkins Hill, Western Coventry and West Warwick Fire Departments responded to the Summer Villa at 51 Laurel Avenue at around 4:30 a.m. for a report of a fire.

The fire prompted the evacuation of all 58 residents of the assisted living facility and multiple town departments collaborated with Summer Villa staff to transport them to the Coventry Senior Center.

“The Coventry Police would particularly like to thank our town of Coventry Human Services Department for their efforts today in making the residents feel comfortable during the relocation and duration of their displacement,” Sedam said, adding that the cleaning and restoration process was “nearing completion” and residents were expected to return Friday evening.

The matter remains under investigation