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Firefighting

Police & Fire
Blaze Breaks Out At Eatery In Westchester Blaze Breaks Out At Eatery In Westchester
Blaze Breaks Out At Eatery In Westchester Firefighters raced to put out a blaze that broke out inside a fried chicken restaurant in Westchester. The blaze happened on Wednesday morning, April 24 at Kennedy's Fried Chicken in White Plains at 4 East Post Rd. (Route 22), according to the White Plains Fire Department. The fire did not end up being too severe, firefighters said. The cause of the blaze was not released. The department said the blaze highlighted the need for more staffing, as the city's call volume has increased.

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Former Fire Chief From Ossining Dies At 68 Beloved Former Fire Chief From Ossining Dies At 68
Beloved Former Fire Chief From Ossining Dies At 68 A former fire chief from Northern Westchester who dedicated most of his life to his department is remembered for always helping his community.  Longtime Ossining resident Raymond Lips, the former chief of the Millwood Fire Department and life member, died suddenly at his home on Tuesday, April 9 at the age of 68, according to his obituary.  Born in 1955, Lips graduated from Ossining High School in 1973 and earned an Associate's Degree from Westchester Community College before joining Otto A. Lips Electric, the family business.  In addition to his career, Lips was a lifelong …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Chimney Fire Prompts Emergency Response At Northern Westchester High School Chimney Fire Prompts Emergency Response At Northern Westchester High School
Chimney Fire Prompts Emergency Response At Northern Westchester High School Firefighters raced to a high school in Northern Westchester after receiving reports of a chimney fire. The incident happened on Monday morning, April 8, when crews from the Millwood Fire Department responded to a reported chimney fire at Fox Lane High School in Bedford.  According to the department, arriving crews soon discovered that the affected chimney was clogged and quickly worked to unclog it and return the situation to safety.  No injuries were reported. 

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Blaze Tears Through Northern Westchester Home, Causes Road Closure Blaze Tears Through Northern Westchester Home, Causes Road Closure
Blaze Tears Through Northern Westchester Home, Causes Road Closure Firefighters from several departments spent hours fighting a blaze at a Northern Westchester residence that required nearly 100,000 gallons of water and an excavator to completely extinguish. Updated Report - Update: Funds Come To Pound Ridge Firefighter Hurt In Blaze The blaze began on Monday morning, April 8 at a residence on Long Ridge Road in Bedford, according to the Bedford Fire Department. After crews arrived at the home at around 7:30 a.m., they searched the building and found no one inside. Firefighters then began dousing the flames, which were tearing through the sides and r…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Firefighters Battle Car Blaze, Burning Wires In Northern Westchester Firefighters Battle Car Blaze, Burning Wires In Northern Westchester
Firefighters Battle Car Blaze, Burning Wires In Northern Westchester Firefighters battled both a car blaze and downed burning wires that began at nearly the same time during a busy morning in Northern Westchester.  The incidents happened on Wednesday, April 3 just before 9 a.m., when firefighters in Somers responded to downed burning wires on Route 202 near Todd Road while also being called to the scene of a car blaze in a parking lot on Route 6.  According to the Somers Volunteer Fire Department, the car blaze was successfully put out with  1,000 gallons of water. Meanwhile, firefighters closed Route 202 while NYSEG could shut off the power a…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Rubbish Fire Ignites Near Railroad Yard In Croton-On-Hudson Rubbish Fire Ignites Near Railroad Yard In Croton-On-Hudson
Rubbish Fire Ignites Near Railroad Yard In Croton-On-Hudson Firefighters responded to a Northern Westchester railroad yard after a blaze ignited in a rubbish pile. The incident happened on Wednesday, March 27 around 10 p.m., when Croton-on-Hudson Fire crews responded to a reported trash fire near the old Metro Enviro building on Croton Point Avenue near the Croton-Harmon railroad yard, according to the department.  Crews soon found a smoldering fire in some railroad ties and were able to extinguish it quickly, firefighters said.  The cause of the blaze was not released. 

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
High-Rise Blaze Prompts Evacuation Of Residents At Peekskill Apartment Building High-Rise Blaze Prompts Evacuation Of Residents At Peekskill Apartment Building
High-Rise Blaze Prompts Evacuation Of Residents At Peekskill Apartment Building A blaze on a high floor at a Northern Westchester apartment complex proved to be a difficult battle for firefighters. The blaze began in Peekskill on Friday, March 22 just before 2:30 p.m., when a fire alarm was set off at the Crossroads Apartments at 1109 Brown St., according to the City of Peekskill Fire Department.  Arriving fire crews soon found smoke coming from the window of a fifth-floor apartment and quickly raced up to begin putting it out. Once they got to the floor of the fire, crews found that the hallway was filled with smoke and found an active blaze inside the apartment.…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Wind-Driven Attic Blaze Damages Buchanan Residence Wind-Driven Attic Blaze Damages Buchanan Residence
Wind-Driven Attic Blaze Damages Buchanan Residence A blaze that ignited in the attic of a Northern Westchester residence proved to be a tough battle for firefighters thanks to gusty winds. The blaze began on Thursday, March 21 just after 1 p.m. at a residence in Buchanan, according to the Croton-on-Hudson and Millwood Fire Departments. Arriving fire crews soon began battling the blaze in the residence's attic and first and second floors, which proved to be difficult thanks to gusty winds and unstable floors.  Eventually, the blaze was brought under control around 3:30 p.m. Members of the Buchanan, Croton, Millwood, Continental Village…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Funeral Details Released For Former Northern Westchester Fire Chief: 'Selfless Person' Funeral Details Released For Former Northern Westchester Fire Chief: 'Selfless Person'
Funeral Details Released For Former Northern Westchester Fire Chief: 'Selfless Person' Funeral arrangments have been announced for a former Northern Westchester fire chief who spent nearly his entire life serving the public in both his career and as a volunteer.  A wake for Raymond Baker, the former chief of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department who died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, March 9 at the age of 64, will be held on Friday, March 22 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville at 418 Bedford Rd.  Earlier Report - Former Somers Fire Chief Dies: 'He Will Be Deeply Missed' A Mass of Christian Burial will also be …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
2 Firefighters Injured In Blaze At Westchester Residence 2 Firefighters Injured In Blaze At Westchester Residence
2 Firefighters Injured In Blaze At Westchester Residence Two firefighters were injured while battling a blaze at a residence in Westchester.  The fire happened in White Plains on Thursday, Feb. 29 at a residence on South Broadway, according to the city's fire department.  The blaze began in the attic and walls of the structure but was quickly knocked out before it could spread and cause more damage to the home, firefighters said.  No occupants in the home were harmed, but two firefighters suffered minor injuries during the effort to put out the blaze, the department said. 

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Update: More Details Released About Hospital Fire In Westchester Update: More Details Released About Hospital Fire In Westchester
Update: More Details Released About Hospital Fire In Westchester Firefighters have released more information about a fire that broke out at a hospital in Westchester.  The blaze began on Thursday, Jan. 25 around 11:30 a.m., when a fire started inside an apartment on the second floor of staff housing on the Phelps Hospital campus in Tarrytown.  Earlier Report - Fire Ignites At Phelps Hospital In Tarrytown: Developing Soon after the flames broke out, crews from several organizations raced to the scene, including the Sleepy Hollow, Hawthorne, Valhalla, and Millwood Fire Departments.  After arriving at the scene, crews began putting out…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Fire Tears Through Yorktown Residence Amid Dense Fog, Rain Fire Tears Through Yorktown Residence Amid Dense Fog, Rain
Fire Tears Through Yorktown Residence Amid Dense Fog, Rain Firefighters endured rain and heavy fog while battling a blaze at a Northern Westchester residence that left the home damaged.  The fire broke out on Wednesday, Jan. 24 around 6:30 p.m., when flames ignited at a residence in Yorktown in the area of Hardwood Place and Hanover Street.  With the help of mutual aid from departments from Croton-on-Hudson and Mahopac, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and put out hot spots.  The response to the blaze took several hours. The cause of the fire was not released. 

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Home Destroyed In Early Morning Blaze: Occupants, Firefighters Escape Unharmed Hudson Valley Home Destroyed In Early Morning Blaze: Occupants, Firefighters Escape Unharmed
Hudson Valley Home Destroyed In Early Morning Blaze: Occupants, Firefighters Escape Unharmed A raging house fire in the Hudson Valley required firefighters to quickly improvise and utilize a water source a mile away to extinguish the blaze.  New, updated report - Update: Support Rises For Mahopac Family Who Lost 'Dream Home' In Blaze The incident happened in Putnam County on Wednesday, Jan. 24, when a residence in Mahopac on Old Bullet Hole Road caught on fire just before 2 a.m., according to Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Ellen Sacher.  Crews soon arrived at the single-family home and found it fully engulfed by flames. They …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Lifelong Firefighter, Peekskill Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On' Lifelong Firefighter, Peekskill Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On'
Lifelong Firefighter, Peekskill Native Dies: 'His Legacy Will Undoubtedly Live On' A Hudson Valley resident who spent decades protecting his community as a firefighter is being remembered for his selflessness and outgoing nature.  Putnam County resident Dennis Rotenberg of Garrison died on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the age of 71, according to his obituary.  Born in the Northern Westchester city of Peekskill in 1952, Rotenberg attended Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak and went on to work with City Carting of Westchester for three decades.  After moving to Garrison, he joined the Garrison Volunteer Fire Company in May 1985 and served as a firefighter f…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Retired Westchester Firefighter, Union President Dies: 'Already Deeply Missed' Beloved Retired Westchester Firefighter, Union President Dies: 'Already Deeply Missed'
Beloved Retired Westchester Firefighter, Union President Dies: 'Already Deeply Missed' A Westchester fire department is mourning the loss of a beloved retired member from the Hudson Valley who was always the biggest presence in the room.  Dutchess County resident John Garbowski of Hopewell Junction, who served with the Yonkers Fire Department for two decades, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at the age of 66, according to his obituary.  Born in Yonkers in 1957, Garbowski originally joined the Yonkers Fire Department in 1989, when he was assigned to Engine 304 before later being assigned to Station 13.  A few years later in 1992, he moved back t…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Investigation Conducted After Greenhouse Goes Up In Flames In Croton-On-Hudson Investigation Conducted After Greenhouse Goes Up In Flames In Croton-On-Hudson
Investigation Conducted After Greenhouse Goes Up In Flames In Croton-On-Hudson Firefighters had to race to a Northern Westchester residence after a late-night blaze engulfed a greenhouse.  The incident happened on Tuesday night, Dec. 20 at 11 p.m., when a greenhouse in Croton-on-Hudson on Radnor Avenue caught on fire, according to the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department. Within minutes, crews were at the scene of the fire and began efforts to extinguish it and keep it from reaching any nearby structures. Firefighters stayed at the scene for around two hours in total, according to the department.  Following an investigation by the Westchester County C…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze
Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze A city in Westchester is mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter who is being celebrated for his bravery and dedication to his community.  Mount Vernon Firefighter Lamont “Wise” Killian, Jr., died from heart-related issues on Monday, Dec. 11 at the age of 51, city officials announced.  According to the US Fire Administration, Killian had been off-duty since collapsing at the scene of a residential fire on June 22, 2019, when he suffered a heart attack.  Killian's city is now remembering him as someone who was always prepared to help people.  "Your bravery …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Dies: 'Exemplified Meaning Of Brother' Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Dies: 'Exemplified Meaning Of Brother'
Former Fire Chief Of Northern Westchester Department Dies: 'Exemplified Meaning Of Brother' A former fire chief and Navy veteran from Northern Westchester is being remembered for his dedication to his town throughout his 53-year department membership.  Robert H. Meyer, the former chief of the Pound Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, died on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the age of 88, according to his obituary.  Before becoming a firefighter, Meyer began his career in 1953 as an electrician in the Navy until he was honorably discharged in 1957. In addition to working on a nuclear submarine during this time, Meyer also became a union electrical worker and a foreman af…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Dumpster Fire Ignites, Threatens Barn In Northern Westchester Dumpster Fire Ignites, Threatens Barn In Northern Westchester
Dumpster Fire Ignites, Threatens Barn In Northern Westchester A dumpster full of hay and other yard debris almost caused the destruction of a barn in Northern Westchester after it went up in flames.  The incident happened on Tuesday, Aug. 15 just before noon, when firefighters from the Pound Ridge Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dumpster fire that had ignited close to a barn in the town, department members said on Saturday, Aug. 19.  Arriving firefighters soon saw that a dumpster filled with hay and other yard-related material had caught on fire and that the homeowner was attempting to douse the flames using a garden hose.  Cr…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Hazardous Materials Found Inside Burning Home In Northern Westchester Hazardous Materials Found Inside Burning Home In Northern Westchester
Hazardous Materials Found Inside Burning Home In Northern Westchester While fighting a blaze at a Northern Westchester residence, firefighters had to quickly evacuate the building after finding hazardous materials inside.  The fire happened on Sunday, Aug. 13 around 8:15 a.m., when firefighters from numerous departments responded to a home in Pound Ridge on Salem Road (Route 124) that had ignited.  According to the Bedford Hills Fire Department, arriving crews found heavy flames coming out of the two-story wood-frame building. Soon, a total of five tankers were requested to the scene to help with the effort.  While the fight to put out the fla…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Early-Morning House Fire Causes Roof Collapse In Hudson Valley Early-Morning House Fire Causes Roof Collapse In Hudson Valley
Early-Morning House Fire Causes Roof Collapse In Hudson Valley A fast-moving early morning blaze caused the roof of a Hudson Valley residence to collapse before crews even arrived to put out the flames.  The fire happened in Putnam County on Thursday morning, July 20 around 6 a.m., when firefighters were sent to a home in Cold Spring on Kemble Avenue that had gone up in flames.  According to Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1, arriving crews found that the structure's roof had collapsed and that everyone who had been inside the home was outside.  This morning at 06:00 AM CSFC was dispatched to a structure fire on Kemble Avenue in the village. Upon a …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Firefighters Face Exploding Fireworks While Battling Blaze At Cortlandt Home Firefighters Face Exploding Fireworks While Battling Blaze At Cortlandt Home
Firefighters Face Exploding Fireworks While Battling Blaze At Cortlandt Home A firefighter was hospitalized following a blaze at a Northern Westchester home that caused fireworks inside the residence to explode, complicating the response.   The fire happened at a residence in southern Cortlandt on Croton Lake Road on Wednesday, July 5 just after 3:30 p.m., according to the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department.  Once crews arrived at the home, they quickly began putting out the flames, which were centered in the residence's garage underneath the living area. Firefighters were also able to rescue the homeowner's cats that had been trapped in the building.&n…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Shock Of Lightning: Storm Ignites Tree In Croton-On-Hudson Park Shock Of Lightning: Storm Ignites Tree In Croton-On-Hudson Park
Shock Of Lightning: Storm Ignites Tree In Croton-On-Hudson Park A crack of lightning resulting from an afternoon thunderstorm sent crews scrambling to douse a tree fire at a park in Northern Westchester.  The blaze happened on Wednesday afternoon, June 14 around 2:40 p.m., when firefighters raced to Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson to respond to a tree that had caught on fire after being struck by lightning.  According to the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, crews used deck guns to extinguish the flames and were able to keep the tree intact.  The Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department battles a tree fire at Croton Point Park. Croton-on-Hudson Fire …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies
Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies A former fire chief and lifelong Northern Westchester resident who dedicated much of his life to firefighting has died.  Yorktown Heights resident Arthur Orneck, who served as the Chief of the Yorktown Heights Volunteer Fire Department between 1986 and 1987, died on Tuesday, April 4 at the age of 74, according to his obituary.   Born in White Plains in 1948, Orneck lived his entire life in Yorktown Heights and worked as a professional firefighter for the Greenville Fire District in Scarsdale for 20 years before retiring in 2000.  Additionally, he was also a 58-year…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley
House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley Several fire departments battled a Hudson Valley house fire that destroyed the large home while having to bring in water due to the lack of fire hydrants. The fire took place in Dutchess County in Rhinebeck on Kipp Road around 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21. According to the Rhinebeck Fire Department, first arriving firefighters from both Hillside and Rhinebeck found the 2,000-square-foot house fully engulfed in flames. Due to the location of the home, several fire tankers "drafted" in thousands of gallons of water from a nearby pond, the Rhinebeck Fire Department said. The fire was pl…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Mother, Son Escape After House Fire Breaks Out In Area Mother, Son Escape After House Fire Breaks Out In Area
Mother, Son Escape After House Fire Breaks Out In Area A mother and a son managed to escape an intense Hudson Valley house fire that was gas-fed. The fire took place around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at a two-family home located in Putnam County at 2592 Carmel Ave., in Brewster. According to the Brewster Fire Department, first arriving firefighters were given reports of a mother and son still trapped in the fully engulfed home.  Smoke from the gas-fed fire.Brewster Fire Department Firefighters made several attempts to enter the home to search for the trapped residents but were driven back by the intense fire, the department said.  A sho…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
House Fire Breaks Out In Area House Fire Breaks Out In Area
House Fire Breaks Out In Area One firefighter was hospitalized battling an overnight fire that broke out in an area home, officials announced. First responders in Putnam County from the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Carmel Police Department responded to a Secor Road home at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, where there was a report of a deck on fire with an elderly resident possibly inside the home. Officials said that upon arrival, first responders found an active fire and heavy smoke condition at the property, as the flames had spread from the deck to the residence. Crews from the Mahopac V…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Photos: Firefighters Put Out Blaze At Greenhouses In Westchester Photos: Firefighters Put Out Blaze At Greenhouses In Westchester
Photos: Firefighters Put Out Blaze At Greenhouses In Westchester Firefighters worked hard to extinguish a fire that broke out in a Westchester greenhouse. Members of the Hartsdale Fire Department responded to the Hartsdale Greenhouses at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, where there were multiple reports of a smoke plume in the area. According to fire officials, first responders located a well-involved storage building fire with an electrical pole arcing overhead.  A hose line was first stretched and placed in operation to stop the advancing fire while firefighters worked cautiously to avoid the electrical hazard. Officials said that the…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Video: Young Girl With Garden Hose Helps Fight House Fire In Westchester Video: Young Girl With Garden Hose Helps Fight House Fire In Westchester
Video: Young Girl With Garden Hose Helps Fight House Fire In Westchester All hands were truly on deck to battle a house fire in Westchester this week as a young girl leapt into action to offer an assist to firefighters knocking down the flames. First responders in Rye responded to a reported fire in a multi-family home near Cedar Street at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. In a Ring video released by the Rye Fire Department, the girl can be seen taking a neighbor’s garden hose and spraying water in the direction of smoke and fire coming out of a second-story window at the residence. According to police in Rye, all tenants in the residence were safe…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Senior Housing Complex In Peekskill Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Senior Housing Complex In Peekskill
Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Senior Housing Complex In Peekskill A three-alarm fire destroyed a senior housing complex under construction in Northern Westchester. The blaze, which was so intense it required some 100 firefighters, was reported around 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1847 Crompond Road, in Peekskill.  The Peekskill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, who also responded to the fire, said the fire was so intense and massive that embers from it were found throughout various areas of the city, including melting some items in a neighbor's yard.  At the same time, the department was receiving multiple 911 calls to report the blaze and from residents concerne…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Two-Alarm House Fire Breaks Out In Area Two-Alarm House Fire Breaks Out In Area
Two-Alarm House Fire Breaks Out In Area Firefighters from numerous departments braved freezing temperatures and snow as they battled a two-alarm early morning house fire in the area. The fire started around midnight in the basement of a house on Chappaqua Road in the Lake Carmel section of Kent, said Lake Carmel Fire Chief T.J. Donohue. The family, including two adults and two children, were able to escape safely as firefighters arrived on the scene, the chief said. Due to no fire hydrants in the area, firefighters had to truck in water and pulled hoses to battle the two-alarm blaze that totaled the home, Donohue said. More tha…

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by Kathy Reakes