NEW ROCHELLE, NY — An early morning, two-alarm apartment fire in downtown New Rochelle left 5 injured and dozens seeking temporary shelter.
New Rochelle Firefighters were called to 77 Center Avenue at about 5:00 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a fire on the 3rd floor.
60 residents were evacuated into the freezing cold, many of them relocated to a temporary shelter at the Habitat ReStore at 659 Main Street. The Red Cross was called to assist.
5 civilians were injured, 4 due to smoke inhalation, 1 with minor burns. The five were taken to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. A 6th person suffered an asthma attack. No firefighters were injured
The fire was declared under control by the fire department at 5:45 a.m.
The arson team is on scene but no determination has been made as to the cause.
Yonkers Fire Department provided mutual aid.
UPDATE:
“After hearing that people were trapped, the crew of Ladder 12 could not wait for the protection of a fire hose. Two firefighters raced alone to the third floor and pushed deep into the burning apartment. ‘When we got to the bedroom, the fire was right there rolling out over our heads’…” Read more
UPDATE WITH VIDEO (Photo Credit Brian Sussman) https://youtu.be/q1h6pwm_ftI
James O’Toole and Boomer Ryder contributed to this story.
