The blaze that erupted at Newport’s historic Castle Hill Inn on Thursday, Feb. 5, has been deemed to be accidental and related to the use of a wood-burning fireplace, according to the Rhode Island State Fire Marshall’s Office.
A portion of Castle Hill Inn’s third floor and attic was alight with a two-alarm fire that Thursday night, the flame having evaded detection for a short period of time by traveling within the walls. While Newport Fire Chief Harp Donnelly said the department and others from surrounding areas managed to sequester the flame to a smaller area of the building, Castle Hill Inn’s main building will remain closed for an indefinite amount of time as the hotel assesses and repairs the damage.
A two-alarm fire occurred Thursday, Feb. 6, 2026, at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport. Damage to the roof can be seen and crews are already working on-site.
Despite the main inn’s closure, Castle Hill Inn said the hotel is hoping to get the restaurant operational in the coming months in time for the season and that its other facilities, such as the Beach Houses, Beach Cottages, Harbor House, Chalet and wedding venue, are all unharmed and will remain open.
Castle Hill Inn was built in 1875 for American scientist and engineer Alexander Agassiz and is one of Newport’s several iconic Gilded Age summer cottages. It became a summer hotel by the end of World War II after serving as an impromptu base for naval officers, according to the inn’s website. It is currently owned by Newport Restaurant Group.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Castle Hill Inn fire started in fireplace, deemed accidental
