House tour focuses on historic firehouses

Historic firehouses in Newport will be open to visitors on Sunday, Oct. 8, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. as part of an effort to support the non-profit Firehouse Theater.

All the station houses have been saved through conversion to other uses, both residential and commercial. Tours begin at Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, off Broadway. Visitors can purchase tickets in advance for $20 by mailing a check payable to Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, Newport, RI 02840, or for $25 at the theater on the day of the event.

Firehouse Theater spokeswoman Donna Maytum said the firehouse tours were planned to coincide with Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8 to 14, and proceeds from the event will be used to upgrade fire safety systems at the theater.

"There's a romance about these old fire stations and interest in fire fighting history is high, especially at this time of year," she says.

Historical information about each building will be available on site.

Call 849-3473.