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Second First Due Structure Fire in Less Than 24 Hours
By CFD News Team
August 25, 2019
Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department's volunteers were put to work at a second structure fire within the village in less than 24 hours early Sunday.
At 1:17 AM on Sunday, August 25th, the COHFD was dispatched to the area of Ackerman Court for a reported structure fire. Responding units noted the odor of smoke in the upper village and the north end near Stations 1 and 2 while enroute. Upon the arrival of Car 2081 (Chief Colombo) and a Croton EMS Ambulance, a fully engulfed structure fire on Birch Court was found. Chief Colombo established "Birch Court Command" and quickly went from the Working Fire Assignment to a 2nd Alarm for additional manpower.
In addition to our pre-planned assignments, Ladder 52 from Millwood FD was "special-called" due to it's unique design and shorter vehicle length to access the narrow and winding driveway. Car 2082 (Asst. Chief Dinkler) took on the "Operations" role and members from our five Companies worked together to lay out supply hose lines as well as numerous 2 1/2" large-caliber hose lines to attack the blaze. Based on the volume of fire and the fact that part of the building was already collapsing, a Defensive Attack was mounted from the outside of the structure.
Using numerous hose lines, portable monitors and the elevated master streams from our TL44 and Millwood's L52, the blaze was darkened down and under control at about 3:00 AM. Command began releasing Mutual Aid companies from the 2nd Alarm and then from the "10-75" assignment over the next 90 minutes. Millwood L52 remained on scene until almost 5:30 AM assisting our units.
COHFD units remained on scene until close to 8:00 AM to assure the fire was extinguished. Fire investigators from the Croton-on-Hudson Police, Westchester County Cause and Origin Team and the Dutchess County Sheriff's K9 Unit were on scene prior to a local excavation company that came and knocked down the charred remains.
The Croton-on-Hudson Police Department reports this incident remains under investigation, and if anyone has any information pertaining to this devastating fire, to please contact them at (914) 271-5177.
The Officers and Members of Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department would like to thank our Mutual Aid companies for once again answering the call and coming to our aid - whether on scene or to backfill our Station for coverage. We'd specifically like to thank the Bedford Hills, Buchanan, Millwood, Montrose, Montrose VA, Sleepy Hollow, Verplanck and Yorktown Heights Fire Departments for assisting us with both incidents this weekend.
Last, but certainly not least, we'd like to thank our friends from Croton EMS, Ossining EMS and Peekskill EMS for assisting us at both fire scenes - aiding our members with their minor injuries from the first fire, and for providing vital rehabilitation supplies - such as water and Gatorade.
