Boy, 7, Dies after Middletown House Fire, Sisters Hurt

MIDDLETOWN, RI—A 7-year-old boy has died and two young girls were injured after a fire broke out in a East Main Road house early Monday morning.

A Middletown police officer is crediting with saving the lives of the two teenage girls who were asleep in the house when the house, located at 566 East Main Road, caught fire at around midnight.

Police said Officer Brendan Behan was on patrol when he saw smoke coming from an East Main Road house. After calling for backup, he forced his way into the house and carried two girls, 14 and 16, out.

Firefighters arrived moments later and retrieved the boy, identified by police as Ramon Arroyo. All were sleeping at the time of the fire.

Police confirmed later Monday that the boy died from his injuries at around 5:20 a.m. at Rhode Island Hospital.

Five police officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

Police Major Ferenc Karoly said in a news release that responders extended their "heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Arroyo family."

Officials said the fire broke out in a second-floor bathroom and remains under investigation.

Karoly said that Cheyanne Arroyo, 16, was released from Hasbro Children's Hospital. Leilaney Arroyo, 14, remains at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Authorities believe that if it weren't for Officer Behan seeing the smoke and taking action, it is likely none of the children would have survived the fire.