Central Falls honors firefighters for Dec. 23 rescue after multi-unit blaze

Deputy Chief Dana Petron told the Central Falls City Council that on Dec. 23, 2025 crews responded to a house fire at 39 Downing Street and likely saved residents’ lives.

"On Tuesday, 12/23/2025, at approximately 23:50 hours, a resident from 39 Downing Street went to the Central Falls Police Department reporting that his house was on fire," Petron said, describing an aggressive interior attack by Engine 2, a ground-line ladder rescue and primary searches on upper floors. She said mutual aid came from Pawtucket, Lincoln and Cumberland.

Petron named the eight crew members involved and said their actions ensured life safety and property conservation. She presented city citations to the crew, including Acting Battalion Chief John Garvey; Acting Fire Lieutenant Michael Avanti; nozzle firefighter Alexander Cora; driver Dylan Mendez; Acting Fire Captain/Lieutenant Ezekiel Mejia; driver Tyler Carter; Acting Rescue Lieutenant Samuel Keeler; and back-step firefighter Tyler Seguin.

Petron said Lieutenant Mejia and three firefighters entered upper floors "without hesitation, under the 0 visibility" to conduct a primary search that proved negative and that two victims were rescued to ground-level safety. She told the council the crew "performed swiftly, bravely, confidently, and without incident."

The recognition follows the council’s ongoing oversight of public-safety operations and occurred during the meeting’s public-service presentations. The council did not take a separate vote on the citations beyond accepting the presentation.

Petron closed by thanking the crew and asking them to remain on stage while she presented the citations.