Fire rips through Barrington house

Fire ripped through the house at 40 Riverside Drive in Barrington on Wednesday afternoon, April 5, but no one was home at the time.

The Colonial style home owned by Betty Garcia was vacant when a neighbor called 911 at about 4:45 p.m. after smelling smoke.

Barrington Fire Chief Gerald Bessette said the state fire marshal was en route but it appeared that the fire may have started in the master bedroom fireplace.

"The floor around the fireplace was burned through and the fire spread to the attic. We will wait until it calms down and go in to investigate," the chief said.

Barrington fire crews were assisted by East Providence and Warren fire departments.