PORT CHESTER, N.Y. (May 12, 2026) — A Port Chester firefighter was hospitalized following a house fire at 23 Austin Place on Monday evening after crews responding to a reported gas odor discovered a working fire hidden inside the walls of the residence.
The Port Chester Fire Department was dispatched by 60 Control at approximately 5:30 p.m. for a reported inside odor of gas, according to the department. Upon entering the basement, crews encountered a heavy smoke condition. After an aggressive search, firefighters located a fire burning within the walls between the basement and first floor. A handline was stretched and the fire was rapidly knocked down. Crews then opened surrounding areas to check for extension throughout the home.
Following the fire, one firefighter operating on scene suffered a medical emergency. He was assisted by fellow firefighters, the Port Chester Police Department, and Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS personnel before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. The department said he is doing well.
The fire was determined to be accidental in nature.
Units on scene included 2392, 2393, 2398, E60, E61, E62, E63, E64, TL2, R40, R41, and L-30 from the Rye Brook Fire Department.
Also assisting were the Port Chester Police Department, Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS, Port Chester Code Enforcement, Con Edison Gas, and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Cause & Origin Team.
Units from Harrison, the Village of Mamaroneck, and West Harrison covered the village during the incident.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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