Woonsocket firefighters are facing a different battle: bedbugs.
According to Fire Chief Paul Shatraw, the problem was discovered Wednesday when a firefighter complained of a rash and went to the hospital to get checked out. Hospital staff determined the rash was caused by bedbug bites.
An inspection of Station Three, located on North Main Street, uncovered “bedbug activity.”
The department then immediately contacted a pest control company. All bedding and the contents of firefighter’s lockers, including spare uniforms, were bagged and taken out of the station. Turnout gear is in the process of being cleaned as well.