OSSINING — A violent thunderstorm seemingly parked over Northern Westchester Friday, Aug. 7, forcing the cancelation of an annual parade tradition, sparking a large apartment fire in the process.
Instead of marching in their annual parade with neighboring departments, the Ossining Fire Department contended with a multi-alarm fire at the Parth Knolls complex on Hawkes Avenue.
At the same time the parade was supposed to begin, lightning from the storm struck the apartment building.
The resulting blaze ravaged the building, leaving many residents homeless. It was one of the largest mutual aid fire responses in Westchester County history with 26 departments responding.
What happened during the Parth Knolls fire?
According to Ossining Second Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Rinaldi, crews were dispatched to the scene at 87 Hawkes Ave., meeting heavy smoke and fire conditions “in the attic area of the building.”
“Firefighters assisted all the residents out of the building as flames leaped from the roof,” Rinaldi said. “Firefighters from departments in Rockland and Westchester were on standby in Ossining for the parade and responded quickly to the scene.
“We used tanker trucks, ponds and the building’s swimming pool just to get more water into the area” Rinaldi said.
At one point 4-ladder trucks were on scene, attempting to quell the blaze. Well over a hundred firefighters from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties battled the fire during a steady downpour at first, followed by hot and humid conditions.
According to Rinaldi, there were no injuries. The Westchester County Cause and Origin Team was called in to determine the exact cause which according to Rinaldi was a lightning strike on the roof.
On Saturday morning, some of the displaced residents returned to survey the damage and see what could be salvaged from any of the 24-units in the buildings as workers began to board it up.
Numerous organizations assist residents
Multiple organizations, including The American Red Cross, are assisting residents displaced by the fire.
“After the fire on Hawkes Ave in Ossining, the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers registered nine households (11 adults) for emergency assistance, including financial aid,” said Desiree Ramos Reiner, an external affairs officer with the American Red Cross.
Reiner said residents of the building who did not connect with Red Cross responders while they were on scene can call 877-RED-CROSS and select option 1 for assistance.
According to the Town of Ossining Facebook, seven residents also stayed in an emergency shelter at the Ossining Recreation Department and have been relocated to a local hotel by Gullotta House, a local charity organization that provides temporary help to those in need.
Padres Hispanos, a non-profit dedicated to supporting immigrants and families in need across Westchester County, also provided free clothing.
Town of Ossining outlines recovery efforts
According to a statement posted to Facebook, the Town of Ossining credited the Ossining Fire Department, agencies and other departments that responded to the fire with helping evacuate residents and contain the blaze without injuries or loss of life.
“This recovery effort has been successful because of the collaborative efforts of the Town and Village officials, staff, local volunteers and community groups,” the post reads.
Many vehicles were able to be removed without damage from the building’s garage. The post also shared that the fire started “smoldering again” shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9.
“The building is currently fenced off and being monitored while awaiting inspections by structural engineers and others,” the post said.
Residents of the adjacent building were allowed to return Monday after inspection.
(This story may update.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ossining fire 1 of ‘largest mutual aid responses’ in county history
Reporting by Frank Becerra Jr. and Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Frank Becerra Jr. and Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
