22 Displaced in House Fire in Providence -- Majority Undocumented Immigrants, According to Reports

22 Displaced in House Fire in Providence -- Majority Undocumented Immigrants, According to Reports

Twenty-two people were displaced in a house fire in Providence early Wednesday morning -- and according to Reynaldo Almonte with Latino Public Radio, the majority are undocumented immigrants. 

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare told GoLocal that twenty-two people were displaced -- no injuries -- early Wednesday morning at the house fire at 215 Althea Street in the West End of the city.

Pare confirmed that there is an investigation underway as to the cause of the fire -- but said there was no inquiry into the legal status of the residents.

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Council President On the Scene, But Not the Mayor

City Council President Sabina Matos was present on the scene on Wednesday. 

"Some of [the residents] did not speak English, some spoke Spanish," said City Council Press Secretary Billy Klepner, who said he "did not know" the status of the residents. "We had a translator -- Andre Herrera -- to help  them to navigate temporary housing."

Almonte said that he spoke with residents, and was told that some of the children were taken to the hospital to get checked out for smoke inhalation. 

"They're undocumented, and they're scared to come forward," said Almonte

According to city records, Samol Ok and Sophy Prum are listed as the owners of the building. 

"The [undocumented] residents are Guatemalan -- where the Mayor is from -- but no one from the Mayor's office was there this morning," said Almonte. "The neighbors are mad. He talks about helping undocumented immigrants, but he doesn't do anything."