Condo fire displaces 11 people

More than 70 firefighters and emergency medical people respond to three-alarm blaze in Monroe, By Claudia Wysocki MONROE - The fire that displaced 11 residents of a condominium complex on Fitzgerald Court in Monroe on Monday morning also sent three firefighters and one resident to the hospital. The heat and the intensity of the fire were such that Monroe firefighters had to fall back after 15 minutes inside the lower area of one of the units. “We had to get out because the fire was consuming the whole structure,” said Monroe Fire Department’s 2nd Lt. John Scherne Jr. As firefighters approached the scene, a huge heavy black plume of smoke rose to the sky from Fitzgerald Court, just south of the Stop ’N Shop shopping center off Route 17M. So many calls were coming in that fire officials put in a second and then a third alarm for more help. In all, the three-alarm blaze brought more than 70 firefighters and Emergency Medical Service personnel to the scene. Monroe firefighters were assisted at the scene by volunteers from Woodbury, South Blooming Grove, Tuxedo, Chester and Greenwood Lake. The first firefighters on the scene faced heavy fire and smoke coming from two of the housing units. So the department’s first priorities were: “where to position, attack, utilize multiple hose lines and establish water supply,” according to Fire Chief Vini Tankasali. Scherne said firefighters determined the fire originated in the lower area of one of the condo units. “I had my crew stretch a line which went to the bottom apartment - the door was already open - to find the fire,” the second lieutenant recounted. “We made our way 30 feet down a narrow hall and found heavy fire. We called for a crew with a hand line hose to fight the fire from inside.” EMS cooling area But within 15 minutes, the fire intensified, forcing the firefighters to withdraw. “When we got out we were beat,” Scherne said. “It was too intense, too much headway. We had to go to a defensive attack setting up aerial equipment.” Three firefighters were taken to the Arden Hill campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Goshen to be treated for heat-related conditions; one of the homeowners also was brought to the hospital for treatment. “We needed additional resources brought in because of the heat,” said Tankasali. “The firefighters were overheated and exhausted.” EMS personnel set up rehab and cooling area where blood pressure and vitals were taken. Beverages and food also were brought in for the volunteer firefighters. Two condo units were heavily damaged; a third sustained smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire had not been determined at press time, according to Tankasali, and, according to standard procedure, it remained under the scrutiny of Orange County fire investigators. Meanwhile, the Red Cross found temporary housing for two families; the third made other arrangements.

We had to get out because the fire was consuming the whole structure... It was too intense, too much headway. We had to go to a defensive attack setting up aerial equipment.” Monroe Fire Department’s 2nd Lt. John Scherne Jr.

'I was able to sleep soundly because ...’Editor’s note: Carolyn Barr-Rubin initially submitted this as a letter to the editor on Tuesday morning. It makes better sense, however, to have her letter appear here with the news story about the fire on Fitzgerald Court in Monroe on Monday. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers from the Monroe Fire Department and all the surrounding towns who answered the call to the fire on Fitzgerald Court. It was a scary day for all of us, but especially for the two families who lost their homes. Neighbors warned neighbors. Pets were saved. Doors were kicked in to check on the elderly. The kids in the neighborhood brought wet towels to those who needed to be cooled off. Bottles of water and Gatorade were handed out.The firefighters, the EMS and everyone involved were here for our community from 10 a.m. until almost 5 p.m., making sure everyone was safe and calm. When I closed my eyes last night, the smell of smoke still drifting in the air, I was able to sleep soundly because I know I live in a community were neighbors take care of each other and a town full of volunteers who would never let us down.
Carolyn Barr-Rubin