At 3:30 PM on a hot and humid July afternoon, our dispatchers at 60 Control received a frantic call from a woman on Croton Lake Road in southern Cortlandt reporting her house was on fire.

The CFD, along with Tankers from Yorktown and Millwood as well as a FASTeam from Yorktown, were promptly dispatched, as this area lacks pressurized fire hydrants. Car 2081 (Chief Munson) was first to arrive about 7 minutes later, finding fire showing from the garage in the rear of the home and transmitted the "10-75" for the "Working Fire."

First arriving Engine 118 laid out nearly 600 feet of 5" supply hose and deployed two 2" pre-connected hose lines in short order with the assistance of other CFD Companies as well as Yorktown, Millwood and Montrose VA members. Simultaneously, additional personnel conducted searches for people, missing cats and fire extension within the residence.

Tower Ladder 44 was able to get into the driveway and position for aerial access, while Tankers 10, 14 and 15 provided water to E118 via a "Nursing Operation." As members began to attack the fire, they were knocked down and pushed back by numerous explosions - apparently fireworks - in the garage. As a precaution, Command requested a 2nd Alarm to be struck for additional personnel in the event the explosions caused the fire to rapidly spread - and due to the extremely hot and humid weather conditions.

Additional personnel from our department, as well as an Engine Company from Montrose worked together extinguishing the blaze in short order, which enabled Command to return units before they got on scene.

Two Firefighters sustained minor injuries and one neighbor was evaluated for exhaustion by EMS. An investigation by the Westchester County Cause & Origin Team determined the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction.

The swift response and coordinated attack kept the fire contained to the garage area and prevented it from spreading into the living areas. CFD personnel assisted in rescuing the family's cats as well.

Over 30 CFD members, and a total of nearly 70 local firefighters (mainly volunteers) operated at this incident for nearly three hours.

The CFD thanks all of our Mutual Aid partners for their assistance, like always.

Iniital Assignment: Croton FD, Millwood FD Tanker, Yorktown FD Tanker and FASTeam.

10-75 Assignment: Montrose VA Engine, Montrose Engine, Millwood Ladder, Bedford Hills and Continental Village Tankers, Croton & Ossining EMS, WCDES Battalion 10

2nd Alarm Assignment (all canceled with exception of Cascade, Rehab & EMS12): Bedford Hills FASTeam, Briarcliff Engine, Mohegan Ladder, Pocantico Hills and Somers Tankers, Buchanan FD Cascade Unit, Peekskill EMS Rehab and WCDES EMS12

Relocated to our Station #3: Verplanck Engine, Ossining Ladder & Pocantico Hills Tanker (Mahopac Falls canceled)