Flames destroy firefighter's home in Glocester

GLOCESTER, R.I. (WJAR) — A Johnston firefighter lost his home in Glocester during a fire Wednesday night.

Authorities said they responded to the fire at 47 Phillips Lane at about 9 p.m.

The house belonged to Johnston Fire Lt. Adam Barros. He lived there with his wife and two children. The family’s dog was killed in the fire.

Johnston Fire Chief Peter Lamb described Barros as a likeable, outgoing guy. He's been with the department for 12 years.

“It’s an awful irony that he’s here on duty protecting the citizens in Johnston and his own home -- he has a fire at his own home, which ultimately destroys his own home," Lamb said.

Johnston Firefighters’ Union Local 1950 is collecting donations for the family.

In a Facebook post, the union asked those who want to make a donation to do so in the form of gift cards to “stores such as Target, Walgreens, Stop & Shop, etc." The union said cash or checks can be made out to the Johnston Firefighters Charitable Fund in Barros' name. Donations can be brought to the Johnston Fire Department at 1520 Atwood Ave.

“We just had a firefighter come in from Brockton, Massachusetts who was a retired firefighter who drove here to help another firefighter - brought in clothing and comforters and so forth,” Lamb said.

About 40 to 50 firefighters from eight departments responded to the scene. Firefighters had to truck in water from Smithfield since there were no hydrants nearby.

Tom Wunderlich lives across the street from Barros.

“I know Adam -- Adam’s stopped a couple of times when I was shoveling, ‘Need a hand in there, you know?’ So, he was willing to help the old guy, you know,?” Wunderlich said.

A child told NBC 10 News that he spotted the flames.

"I look out one window, see nothing. I look out the other, see a huge fire," the boy said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A GoFundMe account was launched in support of Barros and his family, Click here to learn more.