Shortly before 11AM on Wednesday, the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department was requested as a FASTeam to a working fire at the Springvale Apartments in Montrose. As the crew was forming, 60 Control changed our assignment to an Engine Company to aid in fire suppression efforts. Minutes later, Engine 118 (Chemical), Utility 14 (Washington) and Car 2089 were on the way with over one dozen Interior Firefighters.

Members went to work on all three levels of the multiple unit apartment building as well as the roof, conducting searches for any victims, extinguishing fire, opening up & checking for extension and overhauling for about 3 1/2 hours.

On scene working were the Montrose FD, Buchanan Eng Co., Verplanck Fire Department, Montrose VAFD & Yorktown Heights Volunteer FD FASTeam. Providing coverage in our Station #2 was an Engine from Briarcliff Manor Fire Department until we freed up our E118 from the fire scene.

First-arriving Montrose members were met with heavy, rapidly extending fire conditions - which made their members have to both attempt to contain the blaze and to evacuate the elderly residents within the building. This prompted them to call additional resources to the scene almost immediately, which likely attributed to the fire being stopped as quick as it was and preventing it from consuming even more of the building.

Photos shown with thanks to J. Ferguson, J. Gilbert, M. Turner, Kempter's Firewire