Four Arrested For Arson In North Providence Fire

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — Three juveniles and one young adult have been arrested in connection with a suspicious fire last month at a town-owned property on Hamlin Street.

The vacant house on Hamlin Street caught fire around 4 a.m. on March 22 and was completely engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. At the time, the cause was deemed suspicious.

Police say the suspects were smoking inside the structure when a discarded match ignited flammable materials. The suspects allegedly fled the scene.

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Investigators procured surveillance video. The video showed a vehicle nearby the time of the fire. In addition, an anonymous tipster told police two suspects had been bragging about setting the fire.

Alexander E. Nicol, 19, of North Providence, was arrested on March 31 along with three juvenile suspects. Each was charged with second-degree arson and misdemeanor conspiracy. Nicol was arraigned and released on $10,000 personal recognizance. He's due back in court on June 23. The juveniles were released with dates to reappear in Family Court. The state's second-degree arson statute applies to abandoned buildings.

The Hamlin Street property was purchased by the city several years ago with plans to demolish the structure and develop the property into a park and recreation area, Mayor Charles Lombardi has said.

The fire on Hamlin Street occurred on the same night that a residential fire at Rosemont Terrace sent one person to the hospital and left six pets dead.