A date has been announced for the demolition of the historic Harborside Inn on Block Island following last weekend's devastating fire.
New Shoreham town officials met with the demolition company and inn owners on Wednesday, according to WJAR, and announced afterward that demolition is expected to begin during the week of Sept. 11. The damaged building, including a collapsed roof, has been deemed a hazard and is fenced off.
According to its website, the 36-room Harborside Inn, has been welcoming visitors to Block Island for over a century “with its Victorian seaport charm.” It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
About 50 firefighters from around Rhode Island were flown and shipped in to help fight the flames at the Harborside Inn early Saturday morning, and at least four ladder trucks were also brought in. The roof of the inn caved in around 1:30 a.m.
All of the guests were evacuated, and no serious injuries were reported.
The island welcomed back vacationers Sunday, a day after the massive fire prompted officials to declare a state of emergency and urge the public to stay away.
Block Island Reservations, which owns the hotel, thanked the firefighters and everyone who helped during and in the days following the fire.
“Unfortunately, it is evident that with the damages done to the building Harborside Inn has closed its doors with the iconic history and memories to be remembered and cherished," the company posted on its website.
Block Island is located about 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
