The fire was reported by a neighbor by who then reportedly assisted an elderly woman from her residence in one of the home in the small row abutting the Neversink Mountains. Several lines were advanced and Car 2 reported heavy smoke and fire on the first floor of the fire building. Fire also extended quickly to the 2nd and 3rd floor of the structure and began moving to the neighboring homes.
At 0158hrs this morning Box 216 was struck for smoke in a residential structure at 664 So. 171/2 St. Dispatched were Engines 13, 1, 5, 3 Safety, Tower 1, Rescue 1, Medic 601, Car 2, Car 8 and Car 22. Engine 13, 1st on the scene, reported smoke showing from 662 So 17th.
These tall 3 story row type homes are on a very steep one lane hill and abut the Neversink Mountain.
Crews went into operation along with the Aerial. Several lines were advanced and Car 2 reported heavy smoke and fire on the first floor. Fire also extended quickly to the 2nd and 3rd floor of the fire building and began moving to the neighboring homes. The fire ran quickly up the rear walls and spread into the attic where it found a heavy fuel load.
Car 2 called for a 2nd alarm. Dispatched on the 2nd were Engine 9, 14 and Ladder 1, Car 1, Cars 10, 24 and 600 also responded.
The wood frame homes do not have brick party walls between them and there was great concern that the fire would consume the row of buildings. Also, the cluttered condition of the 3rd floors of more than one of the residences slowed the efforts of the firefighters to extinguish the fire and overhaul. Eventually, foam was used through an 1 3/4 handline on the attic load to smother the deep-seeded fire.
Extensive work was needed inside the fire building and both exposures to stop the spread of fire and to extinguish the visible flames. With the fire blackened down, crews turned to overhaul. For about 2 and a half hours firefighters opened up walls and ceilings to completely extinguish the fire.
The three homes sustained damage with 662 being gutted. No one was at home at the fire building and there was no immediate report of displaced residents from the exposures. No one was injured in incident. The fire was reported by a man walking by who the reportedly assisted an elderly woman from her residence. The Fire Marshal's office is investigating. Most apparatus cleared the scene by 06:00.
Thanks to Tara Steffe and James Stoner for sending us the photos.
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