Community Corner

Tiverton Women Grabs Dog, Runs From Burning House

A Tiverton woman was just finishing her laundry Thursday night when she heard a "beep, beep, beep." She grabbed her dog and ran outside just as her house filled with smoke.

"As soon as I got upstairs I heard beep," said Nennette Gmitra-Rudis, 51.

Nennette waited across the street with her dog, Mya, next to the Sakonnet Veterinary Hospital as Tiverton firefighters arrived across the street.

Her 18-year-old son, Ian Rudis, who left the house five minutes earlier, arrived to find his mom outside and smoke coming from his home.

"I don't even know how to feel. I was scared for her because I thought she was still in the house," he said.

Tiverton firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was found in the basement.

No injuries were reported. A Portsmouth firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

The fire was first reported at 7:13 p.m.

Firefighters from Little Compton, Westport, Fall River and Portsmouth assisted at the scene. Several off-duty Tiverton firefighters also responded to help.

"There was good cooperative effort from everyone involved," said Tiverton Fire Chief Robert Lloyd.

Fire officials estimate about $30,000 worth of damage to the house, a place Nennette called home since 1990.

Officials are working with the Red Cross to provide assistance for the family.

The exit ramp off Route 24 was temporarily closed to traffic as firefighters worked to put out the blaze.


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