After answering over 60 calls for service the day before due to Tropical Storm Isaias, and another three calls earlier in the day on Wednesday, the Croton-on-Hudson Volunteer Fire Department was put to work at a residential structure fire at 9:45 AM. Initially dispatched as a Residential Fire Alarm on Observatory Drive, while responding we received additional 911 calls reporting an explosion and fire at this location.

While enroute, Chief Dinkler (Car 2081), could see the smoke from a couple blocks away and gave the "10-75" for the confirmed fire. Our first-arriving units - which had to navigate through a number of downed trees/wires and road closures - were on scene four minutes later and began to launch an aggressive interior attack to keep the bulk of the fire confined to the two-car garage area and along the exterior wall above it. Searches of the home confirmed all residents had safely evacuated prior to our arrival. Crews from the Montrose VA and Yorktown FD helped open up, ventilate and snuff out hidden pockets of fire while the crew from Millwood's Ladder worked from the exterior to hit pockets of fire only accessible from their ladder's reach. Due to many of our members being fatigued from the prior day's incidents and an anticipated need for additional help, a 2nd Alarm was transmitted - although the extra 2 Companies never made it to the scene and the fire was held with the First Alarm units. The nearly 30 COHFD volunteers on scene pressed on - many of whom that answered dozens of calls the day before - leading to a quick knockdown of this fire.

In addition to the above, our members were assisted on scene by the Bedford Hills FASTeam, Buchanan Cascade Unit, Ossining FASTeam & Croton, Ossining and Peekskill EMS units.

Briarcliff Manor Engine 94 & Lake Mohegan Fire Department Ladder 10 provided coverage in Croton, responding to two other emergencies during this fire.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation but did not appear to be suspicious in nature. All occupants escaped unharmed and no first responders sustained any injuries.

Photos by N. Abreau & J. Powers