By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — A fire of undermined origin destroyed a house at 175 West Forest Ave. Thursday afternoon and sent a Pawtucket firefighter to the hospital.

The call came in at about 2:45 p.m. to respond to the single-family home. Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin said the blaze had begun in the basement and was raging heavily when the first engines arrived. He said the fire spread through the walls to the first and second floors, causing substantial damage to the house.
Although the initial blaze was brought under control, fire had gotten into the walls and was proving difficult for firefighters to put out. Nearly an hour later, smoke could still be seen coming from the house and firefighters with air packs continued to try to contain the stubborn flames. “We’re still chasing the fire,” said McLaughlin, “And there’s heavy smoke in there,” he said.
McLaughlin said that no one was home at the time, although the owner, who he declined to identify, had been notified. He didn’t have a cost estimate on damages but said that the house was clearly no longer inhabitable.
One firefighter suffered chest pains during the incident and was transported to the Miriam Hospital for an evaluation, McLaughlin said.
Six engine companies responded to the scene and two rescues, he said.
A teenage boy could be seen comforting an older man, who appeared to be the owner, as they stood watching the firefighters, but the youth declined to comment on the fire.
Several neighbors had gathered on the sidewalk to observe the fire, but all of those interviewed said they did not know who lived in the house.