Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

BARRINGTON, R.I. -- A heating gun to remove paint caused a fire Saturday afternoon that may have destroyed a historic home at 38 Old River Rd., right off of the Wampanoag Trail.

``It's pretty bad,'' said Barrington police Sgt. Josh Birrell. ``It could be a total loss.''

The authorities said that property owner, George F. ``Fritz'' Christ, started the blaze around noon while using the heating gun on the exterior of the house that was built in 1782.

Within minutes, flames raced through the clapboard structure and the building was engulfed in fire.There were no reported injuries.

The East Providence and Warren fire departments assisted the Barrington Fire Department.

As of 3 p.m., firefighters remained at the scene battling ``hot spots,'' that continued to ignite in what remained of the structure.

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