A middle-aged male was eventually taken to hospital after town public safety personnel responded to a report of a potential structure fire at a on Birch Swamp Road residence Tuesday evening, April 1, at approximately 7:30.

Warren Fire Department Chief James Sousa was first on the scene, learning upon arrival the incident was actually attributed to a mishap while tending to a camp fire.

Sousa immediately canceled the larger response, leaving one WFD truck to extinguish the fire. More importantly, a male attempting to manage the fire had noticeable burns on his hands and arms. The victim was conscious and informed the chief about his injuries.

Sousa said there was some initial concerns about other the potential inhaling of flames, which could cause unknown internal injury.

Emergency Medical Technicians on a WFD rescue also responded, tending to the wounds and eventually transporting the victim to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment.

Sousa declined to identify the victim or go into any more detail based on HIPPA regulations. HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, is a "federal law that sets national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information, ensuring its confidentiality and security, and facilitating the portability of health insurance."

As of Thursday morning, April 3, the man remained in hospital.

While expressing his concern and best wishes for the victim, Sousa said he hoped the incident could "bring awareness" to the public about the often overlooked dangers of open fires, camp fires or fire pits, especially in residential settings.

More logs
The following is a synopsis of the Warren Police logs from Monday, March 24, to Sunday, March 30:

Monday, March 24
Warren Police made an arrest of a homeless male on a charge of domestic violence - criminal violation of no contact order - 1st offense following a traffic stop on Main Street. Kevin Curria, 43, with an address unknown was taken into custody, arraigned and transported to the Adult Correctional Institution. Curria had an outstanding warrant and was in the vehicle when it stopped by an officer at just after 6:30 p.m.

Police were twice called to a Metacom Avenue residence for suspicious activity where a male party was reported someone attention to access his home. The first call game at about 9:15 p.m. then an hour later. The man initial conceded "he may be hearing things due to not taking his medication." Upon the second call, the responding officer reported the residence was secure and departed the scene.

Tuesday, March 25
Officers eventually arrested a Warren man after responding to a domestic disturbance call from a Child Street location at approximately 7:30 a.m. Brian Pacheco, 43, of 124 Child St., was charged with the following: domestic violence - disorderly conduct - 1st offense; weapons other than firearms prohibited; and obstructing officer in execution of duty.

Another town resident was arrested after police answered a disorderly conduct call from a Metacom Avenue business at just after 10 p.m. Michael J. Budnik, 45, of 37 Overhill Road, Warren was charged with injuring or tampering with vehicles, resisting legal or illegal arrest and disorderly conduct. Staff of the establishment reported "a recently terminated employee broke into her coworker's vehicle and is laying in the backseat." Budnik was eventually taken into custody, arraigned and later released into the care of a family member.

Sunday, March 30
Police had a very busy day, making three arrests in a 90-minute period.

After making a suspicious vehicle stop at Main and Water Streets just before 7 p.m., police eventually arrested Christopher Wood, 32, of 350 Water St., Apt. #2nd, on a family court bench warrant. Wood was last transported to the ACI.

About a half-hour later David A. Hennen, of 3 Canario Drive, Warren, turned himself in on warrant facing charges of domestic violence - vandalism - 1st offense and domestic violence - disorderly conduct - 1st offense.

Roughly an hour later, Charles W. Rulon, 63, of 5 Birchswamp Road, Warren, was charged with simple assault and/or battery, resisting legal or illegal arrest and disorderly conduct after police were asked to perform a well being check in the area of Schoolhouse Road and Kinnicutt Avenue.