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Yonkers Home Torn Down After Suspicious Fire

YONKERS, N.Y. – A multi-family Yonkers home that was scorched Sunday in what fire officials consider a suspicious blaze was torn down after firefighters determined the building couldn’t be salvaged.

Dozens of neighbors looked on Wednesday as a back hoe crashed through the side of the three-story home at 103 Webster Ave. just after 12 p.m.

As the walls caved, a crate of toys and a charred mattress tumbled out of what was once a bedroom before crews reduced the home into a pile of splintered wood and cinder blocks.

“It’s heartbreaking,” neighbor Maria Burke said as she looked on. “It’s just so sad to see.”

The building was declared a total loss after flames and heavy smoke erupted from the building Sunday afternoon around 3:38 p.m. The fast-moving fire destroyed the structure and quickly spread to the homes on each side.

In total, five buildings sustained fire damage, fire officials said, including two that were severely damaged.

Four firefighters were injured while putting out the blaze and four residents were taken to the hospital after complaining of difficulty breathing. Fire officials have also said they feared as many as 10 family pets died in the fire.

In the meantime, the Yonkers Fire Department has labeled the blaze as suspicious and said they have reason to believe arson was the cause.  

Fire officials are working with Yonkers police as they investigate the incident and are awaiting the results of evidence that was sent to the Westchester County Crime Lab, police said.

On Monday, Red Cross spokesperson Abigail Adams said the disaster relief agency provided 19 of the 28 displaced residents with temporary shelter and was working with community agencies to find more permanent housing for the individuals.

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