Two people who suffered smoke injuries due to a fatal Bronxville fire Sunday, Dec. 7, were in stable condition Monday as an inspection began into the cause of the blaze.
Inspectors from the Yonkers Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit could be seen scouring the aftermath of the fire at the Rivermere apartment complex on Lake Avenue at Monday.
Eastchester Fire Chief Brian Tween said the fire in unit 2-Edward started just before 10 p.m. on Sunday. Tween said the fire rose to a second alarm after flames were reported to be visibly shooting out from windows in the second floor at the Rivermere apartment complex’s north building.
Eastchester Fire District, Yonkers Fire Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department and Bronxville police responded to the scene. Scardsdale Fire Department and Pelham Manor Department assisted with mutual aid, along with the Westchester County Ambulance Corps.
Tween said numerous residents reported that they were trapped on the fifth, third and second floors. One person, who has yet to be identified, died in the fire. Tween said the superintendent of the apartment complex assisted one of the residents of the unit on fire escape with his own ladder with the help of Bronxville police.
Resident Brian Derousseau said his wife was with his two kids working on a project for school when she heard the hallway fire alarms go off.
When the family opened the doors to the hallway, Derousseau said “black smoke just billowed out. We felt like we were choking,” he said.
“We realized there was no way we were going to get out through those doors, so we tried to find another exit,” he said. “We felt trapped.”
The family exited safely through fire doors, but have been unable to return to their home, as the scene remains under investigation.
“I ran out with no shoes and a t-shirt,” Derousseau said.
He said the deceased victim was an older man who had just recovered from a stroke six months ago.
“It’s really sad because he’s an elderly guy and he was in rehab for six months and he was fine,” Derousseau lamented. “And now this.”
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, as the investigation remains ongoing. However, Tween said officials believe the cause was not suspicious in nature.
Red Cross operating reception center for displaced residents
According to a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to the scene of the Bronxville fire to provide support and canteen services.
“The residents were able to self-relocate last night,” the spokesperson said.
The Red Cross is operating a reception center to meet with residents to discuss resources and emergency assistance from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Village Hall, located at 200 Pondfield Road.
Eastchester Fire District officials say residents of the south building may possibly be able to move back into their units, but it is unclear yet if the units of the north building will be able to be reinhabited.
(This story will update.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Inspection begins at site of fatal apartment fire in Bronxville
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
