Middletown Man Found Dead after Newport Fire

NEWPORT, RI—A 57-year-old Middletown man has died after a fire in a Newport business on Tuesday.

Capt. Stephen Knapman of the Newport Fire Department said firefighters were dispatched at around 3:52 p.m. for a report of a fire on Halsey Street.

The small fire was contained to one of the businesses inside the building at 62 Halsey St., Knapman said, and crews had the flames out and the fire under control in 11 minutes.

The fire is under investigation by the Newport Fire Department, Newport Police Department, the state Fire Marshal and the state police.

"The cause has not been determined yet," Knapman said.

The fire was located inside the Newport Tradesman Center in an industrial park area close to Newport Grand and the ramps that connect to the Clairbone Pell Bridge. The building has a number of units used by businesses for light industrial, manufacturing and other similar businesses.

Knapman said the small fire was contained to one unit. No firefighters were injured during the fire.

"They got it out quick," the captain said.

The victim has not yet been identified.