| For the third morning in a row members of the Bedford Hills Fire Department were wakened from their beds for fire call. Just before 04:30 on Wednesday May 9 Engine 199 and Tower Ladder 57 were requested to the scene of a working structure fire in Katonah. 60 control had received a cell phone multiple calls from residents on Anderson Road reporting a house on fire. A Bedford Police patrol car was first on scene and confirmed flames showing from the house, and that all occupants had been reported out of the building by a tenant. Car 2213 from Katonah was the first fire unit responding and with the current update from BPD requested a 10-75 (for a working fire).
Bedford Hills was on the road shortly after dispatch with two Chiefs, an Engine and Tower Ladder. Engine 115 (Katonah) had dressed a hydrant in front of the house next to the structure fire and left the front of the fire building open for the responding ladder. Tower Ladder 57 was able to position themselves in front of the fire building with enough room to operate the aerial and remove the portable ladders from the rear of the truck. The Ladder crew placed ladders at egress points on the second floor as well as front attic window. Remaining members from the truck and engine entered the building and assisted members from KFD with fire extinguishment, Primary/secondary searches and overhaul.
Members had a difficult time getting to the main body of fire which was located in the attic with limited access and in a tight space. Tower Ladder 57 was able to utilize the master stream off of the bucket and knock down the bulk of the fire in the attic. This allowed members time to pull the ceiling in a rear bedroom, place an attic ladder between the ceiling beams and get into the attic to put out any remaining hot spots
Once the fire was declared under control through Katonah command Engine 199 was returned and placed back into service, while the ladder was moved to the rear of the building to overhaul the exterior of the upper floor. As the ladder finished up checking for any additional hot spots they returned from the scene and after a brief cleaning and tool check were back in service.
The cause of this fire has yet to be determined and is still under investigation by the Westchester County Cause and Origin Team. |
