One dead, firefighter missing after fire tears through assisted-living facility
A huge fire at a New York assisted-living facility Tuesday left one resident dead and several others injured, according to fire officials. One firefighter was unaccounted for as of Tuesday morning.
The blaze at Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley, about 30 miles north of New York City, started around 1 a.m., police said. When firefighters arrived, large flames were already tearing through the building, and responders started to evacuate residents.
About 20 residents and two firefighters were taken to area hospitals, Christopher Kear, a Rockland County fire official, said. One resident was pronounced dead at the hospital and several others had injuries described as serious, he said. One of the firefighters was released.
The missing firefighter went to the third floor to rescue someone and “got lost in the conditions,” Kear said.
About 120 people live at the home, but officials were still trying to figure out how many were in the facility at the time of the fire.
The building was a total loss, Kear added.
He said it was too early to comment on the cause of the fire.
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In video captured at the scene, firefighters can be heard shouting “mayday” and “backup” as they watch part of the building, engulfed by flames, collapse. Video also shows Rockland Hatzoloh emergency medical workers at the scene, providing relief for victims.
Amid the fire, some residents were evacuated by bus to an offsite facility after volunteers from the Chaverim of Rockland, another EMS group, got them “safe and out of harm’s way.” According to the care home’s website, the facility is home to 200 beds.
Caroline Radnofsky contributed.
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