PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A veteran Providence firefighter was injured after falling about 10 feet down an elevator shaft at an elderly housing development on March 16, authorities said.
Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva told 12 News that the firefighter lost his footing and fell inside the shaft at Sister Dominica Manor on Atwells Avenue. Silva said the firefighter suffered serious injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital’s trauma center.
| SURVEY: What Firefighters Want in 2026: Training
The firefighter fell about 10 feet into the elevator shaft and suffered head and leg injuries, but was alert and conscious when transported to the hospital and is expected to recover, WJAR reported.
Firefighters had been called to the building to rescue people trapped in an elevator during a power outage.
The outage was caused by a tree branch that fell on power lines near the housing development, according to Rhode Island Energy.
More than 200 first responders battled the two-story row home blaze for about three hours, with four victims dying at the scene and two more pronounced dead at the hospital, as fire marshals investigate a lithium-ion battery found at the scene
November 05, 2026 09:40 AM
North Royalton Firefighter Ryan Milligan died during the Broadview Heights blaze and Firefighter Andrew Protsman suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover
November 04, 2026 08:21 AM
·
Both Raft River Fire District firefighters were flown to Portneuf Medical Center after their truck went off the road in Cassia County; one died from his injuries while the other remains hospitalized
November 04, 2026 08:44 AM
·
The settlement covers up to 120,000 eligible plaintiffs, including firefighters and military personnel who used PFAS-linked firefighting foam, and follows a separate $12.5 billion settlement in 2023 over drinking water contamination claims
November 04, 2026 08:40 AM
Organizations advancing firefighter health and safety are encouraged to submit nominations by October 16
October 12, 2026 03:03 PM
