Stories about a virus continue to dominate the news, but emergency volunteers are still saving lives threatened in more old-fashioned ways, such as fire. Village of New Paltz firefighters responded to a call on Tuesday, April 21, about “an odor of smoke coming from the basement on Mountain Rest Road,” according to a statement released afterward.
Chief Cory Wirthmann, first on the scene, spotted “a light haze in the residence” which proved to be evidence of fire. Wirthmann and the assistant chiefs are provided with vehicles that allow them to respond quickly to a scene, without stopping at the firehouse for gear. Members of the first fire attack crew to enter the building “relayed a heavy fire in the basement,” and thereafter “a second alarm for a working structure fire was transmitted,” with members of the High Falls, Tillson, Gardiner and Modena fire departments being asked for mutual aid.
It’s reported that the fire “was knocked down within 20 minutes of the initial alarm,” with all residents being evacuated safely. The cause has not yet been determined, but will be investigated. No injuries to any firefighters or other emergency services were reported.
Also responding were members of the New Paltz police and auxiliary unit, as well as rescue squad members.
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