Fire breaks out at Rumford business

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Firefighters are investigating a 2-alarm fire at a packaging business in the city's Rumford section.

The fire at National Packaging Supply off of Taylor Drive broke out around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday. Battalion Chief Glenn Quick told Eyewitness news the fire started in a trailer carrying bales of paper and cardboard. The flames spread into a loading dock, triggering the building's sprinkler sysem. The sprinklers kept the fire from spreading further.

Two firefighters were hurt, Quick said. One suffered a shoulder injury, the other a back injury. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for treatment. Quick said the firefighters' injuries were minor, and they are expected to be fine.

Amanda Young, who lives near the company, told Eyewitness News she believes mischief-makers may have been responsible for the fire.

"It's a little disturbing that there is no security back there," Young said. "It's a dead end street, and kids are around all the time, riding their bikes, hanging around, and nobody is watching them."

Chief Quick said early Thursday it was too soon to determine a cause. The state fire marshal is investigating. Officials are questioning eyewitnesses who saw the blaze.