On Wednesday, April 20th around 4:15 PM, the Ossining Fire Department was alerted to a reported house fire on Garden Street in the Village. Units arrived to heavy fire and smoke conditions and requested our Firefighter Assist & Search Team to the scene. Answering the request we Car 2081 (Munson), Car 2083 (Colombo), Engine 119 and Utility 208.

Upon arrival, the fire was advancing on all floors of the 3-level structure, and members operating inside were having difficulties including a burst hose line. As members were performing FAST duties - throwing ladders, performing size-up and formulating rescue plans - Command requested CFD members to assist, as the fire was becoming more intense and posing hazards to members operating inside.

A crew of our personnel went to task attacking fire on the ground floor and upper floors while additional personnel remained outside until relieved by another FASTeam from the Thornwood FD. Members encountered high temperatures, heavy fire and blackout smoke conditions to the point they had to get on their stomachs to make a push. Under intense fire conditions and through an unusual layout of the structure, our members performed their duties and - along with our brothers and sisters from Ossining, Millwood, Thornwood and Sleepy Hollow Fire Departments - got the fire under control in about 90 minutes.

Additional units from Briarcliff and Tarrytown were called in to fill firefighters' Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, and EMS was on scene from Ossining EMS. Ossining EMS personnel are also credited with helping save a dog that was in the fire building's life by administering much-needed oxygen, as well.

CFD members returned to service around 7PM and spent over an hour cleaning equipment to put back into service.

Many thanks to N. Abreau, JT Camp, J. Drohan, D. Kempter & Millwood FD for the photos.