She then makes her way wades toward the east bank of the river, seeming to tread water until she is pulled onto a boat carrying event performers, fire-tenders, and wood for the show.
“I have tears in my eyes. Thankful she saved the precious animal!!” said commenter Amelia (@Amelia50073).
“If you’re not willing to do this for an animal, we can’t be friends. Proud of this girl so damn proud,” said commenter iKatnip (@iKatnip1)
Others noted the hazards of the river itself, which has long been polluted with sewage and industrial waste, according to environmental organization Save the Bay. Recent improvements in waste-water treatment, as well as longer-term restrictions on industrial polluters in the city, have made it safer in the last few years.
“That girl is a hero. She jumped in the Providence River 😳,” said commenter Christine (@ChristineMarilyn).
“No way, she must really love animals cuz I’d be scared to swim in that water. I’m happy she took one for the team ♥️,” said commenter Steph (@Avery.19j).
WaterFire is an award-winning art installation by Barnaby Evans, located in the waters of the rivers in downtown Providence. There are 81 brasiers in the rivers in which bonfires are lit for the festival-like events, which take place several times during the summer and fall and attract thousands of tourists, residents, vendors, and performers.
Evans said that the incident occurred after the braziers were lit. He was notified by staff that a “rabbit” was in the water near the cafe.
“Heard a big splash as a woman jumped in and started swimming toward the rabbit,” Evans said a staff member told him.
Chris Maino on WaterFire’s vessel Prometheus responded to pick up the woman and the animal, which was later identified as a ferret.
The young woman has not been identified, and the condition of the ferret is unknown.
Peter Mello, managing director and co-CEO of WaterFire, told the Globe that he is waiting to find out more about the incident.
“While I don’t know the details of the incident because I wasn’t on the boat or in that vicinity of the event at that time, and due to the holiday and weekend the team hasn’t debriefed yet, I can say that on the extremely rare occasion of something like this happening, our extraordinary volunteer captains, first mates, and crew have been trained to respond accordingly,” Mello said in an email to the Globe. “That captain is one of our most experienced, as she has been with WaterFire for about 25 years and she never misses a lighting event. I’m sure that was a first for her!”
“From all reports, I think the rescue was a success,” Evans said.
This article has been updated with additional information.
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Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews.