| In the middle of the workday at 12:50 hrs on Thursday, April 16th, the South Salem Fire Department was dispatched to 27 Old Shop Rd for a reported structure fire with occupants trapped in the residence. C2454 responded within minutes down NY-35 and reported to county dispatch “60-Control” that a column of smoke was seen from the area and to transmit the working fire (10-75). Upon arrival, Westchester County PD (SRO Brett Schlosser), Lewisboro PD (Sgt. Llewellyn) and SSFD members attempted initial emergency searches within the front entrance and basement of the residence in an attempt to extricate trapped residents just before the inside experienced combined flashover and smoke explosion.
A smoke explosion happens when a mixture of smoke and air within a flammable range is ignited. A flashover is the near-simultaneous ignition of most combustible materials in an enclosed area, typically when temperatures reach between 932 and 1112 degrees Fahrenheit.
At this point, two Lewisboro Police Officers and one SSFD Captain (Ex-Chief) were directly in front of the building when this event occurred, resulting in varying burn injuries. Captain Avery Scott (C2454), although injured in the flashover, continued to command the scene and called for additional resources on a second alarm and third alarm, bringing multiple mutual aid agencies to assist. C2451 arrived and assumed command, with C2452 taking over operations shortly thereafter.
SSFD and mutual aid members performed VES (vent, enter, search) operations on the second floor and successfully removed the trapped victim shortly after arrival, while others advanced handlines into the structure to combat the fire on the basement, 1st and 2nd floors. Route 35 was shut down in both directions to establish a water source for the fire from the nearby reservoir.
Interior fire attack continued until second-floor heat conditions overwhelmed the operations, and all members were forced to evacuate and commence an exterior attack. BHFD TL-57 was repositioned and set up as a master stream to take down the second-floor flames and place the fire under control around 15:10 hrs.
In the middle of this incident SSFD was dispatched to two motor vehicle accidents, one of which being a confirmed extrication on NY35 near Waccabuc River lane. This incident was covered by SSFD members back in quarters as well as mutual aid members covering the South Salem District. The victim of a two car head on was extricated and and transported by LVAC for medical attention. Units still at the fire were released over the course of the evening with the last fire units clearing the scene after midnight.
In total, 81 fire units, 35 EMS units, and 10 support agencies from across Westchester, Putnam, and Western Connecticut responded to provide aid at this aggressive fire and to cover the South Salem Fire District and other northern Westchester firehouses. Support agencies included the Town of Lewisboro Highway Department, Westchester County Police (WCPD), Lewisboro PD, NYSDOT, Town of Lewisboro Building Department, NY State Police, DEC/DEP, WCDES, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and NY State Fire. EMS units transported victims and provided rehabilitation to members operating at the scene.
The South Salem Fire Department thanks all responding companies and agencies that answered the call to assist during this incident. Our thoughts remain with the affected family of the house fire as well as the Lewisboro Police Officer who remains hospitalized. |
