08/02/2026
📢 Last night at around 1900 hours, the Somerset Fire Department responded to the Riverview Inn & Suites for a reported domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, crews quickly determined the incident was far more serious than initially reported. It was a triple stabbing.
Ladder 1, Engine 8, Rescue 3, Rescue 4, and Swansea Ambulance responded to the scene. Engine 8 is staffed as an ALS engine.
Three patients were treated. Two were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, while a third, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital. All had serious injuries, but should make a full recovery. Due to the severity of the incident, each ambulance required an additional Somerset firefighter-paramedic as an attendant, leaving only one member of the on-duty Somerset Fire Department crew available to cover the entire town.
At nearly the same time, a vessel in distress was reported after a boater lost power and became stranded against the rocks near the Brightman Street Bridge. Car 2 and an off-duty Somerset firefighter responded to assist, securing the vessel and preventing it from drifting into the bridge.
These two emergencies, occurring simultaneously, are another reminder of the demands placed on our department. Serious incidents don’t happen one at a time, and when multiple emergencies occur at once, staffing is stretched to its limits.
This is exactly why Somerset needs a fully staffed, career fire department. Our residents deserve the confidence of knowing that, no matter how many emergencies happen at once, there will always be enough trained personnel available to respond when they need us most.
We are here for you. Stay safe and be kind.
