Warwick, R.I. — A camper went up in flames on Rita Street on Thursday afternoon after a generator ignited spilled petrol, the Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office has confirmed. The blaze destroyed the recreational vehicle and caused damage to an adjacent home and shed; firefighters and police described the scene as "total destruction" of the camper.
Cause, arrests and the status of the property
The fire began at about 2pm and produced a heavy plume of smoke visible to neighbours. Authorities say the immediate cause was spilled gasoline ignited by a generator being used at the scene. No injuries were reported; one person was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Police arrested three people at the scene on willful trespass charges. Warwick police identified them as 50‑year‑old Kenneth Gannon, 50‑year‑old Kevin Gannon and 56‑year‑old Carol Pospishel. According to police, all three had previously been prohibited from entering or occupying the property because the home had been deemed unsafe due to multiple code and safety violations.
Previous police contacts and living conditions
Records and police statements show officers had been called to the Rita Street address repeatedly. Over the past two years, Warwick police responded to the property 18 times, the majority of those calls linked to mental health concerns, authorities told reporters. The home had been cited for a range of problems, including unsanitary living conditions and a lack of electricity and running water.
Animal Control personnel attended the scene and removed a dog from the home; police later said the animal had been released into the care of a responsible party.
Neighbour reaction and local context
Neighbours described surprise at the extent of the decline at the property. One local resident told reporters she had not realised the full situation when she occasionally saw occupants in the area. Another neighbour, looking at the damage, said:
"It's total destruction over here, and I was just glad it wasn't the house too, or the houses around it."
Family members of the two men arrested informed NBC 10 News that the pair are sons of the property's former owner, who died several years ago. Neighbours said they hoped the address would no longer be the source of repeated disturbance.
Official findings and next steps
The Fire Marshal’s Office concluded the fire was accidental, caused by the generator igniting spilled gasoline. Police charged the three people with willful trespass because they had been banned from the unsafe property prior to the incident.
At the time of reporting, details about any further charges or civil enforcement steps against the property owner — or any plans for securing or remediating the premises — had not been released. The fire nonetheless highlights the combination of public‑safety, housing and mental health issues that can emerge around properties deemed unfit for occupation.
- Date and time: Thursday afternoon, fire reported around 2pm
- Cause: Generator ignited spilled gasoline (Fire Marshal’s Office)
- Arrests: Kenneth Gannon (50), Kevin Gannon (50), Carol Pospishel (56) — charged with willful trespass
- Police contact history: 18 calls to the address in two years, many for mental health concerns
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Rita Street, Warwick, Rhode Island |
| Damage | Camper destroyed; adjacent home and shed damaged |
| Animals | Dog removed and placed in care of responsible party |
The incident underlines the practical difficulties local authorities and emergency services face when addressing properties that have been officially deemed unsafe but remain the focus of repeat calls for assistance. It also prompts questions about how banned‑access orders are enforced and how support is provided to people affected by poor housing conditions and complex needs.
