Community leaders provided a video of the solemn procession carrying his body to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Clarkstown’s supervisor, George Hoehmann, said a press conference today will reveal “more about this wonderful volunteer firefighter who paid the greatest sacrifice in service to others”.
The fireman, who was not publicly identified, was killed along with a resident after the flames exploded inside Evergreen Court For Adults on Lafayette Street, just after one o’clock in the morning on Tuesday.
A portion of the building collapsed while firefighters battled the fire.
A fireman rushed into the burning building to rescue the residents, and authorities believe he was disoriented and was unable to find his way out.
1 dead, firefighter missing after big fire in a New York assisted living facility
He was one of the first to arrive at the scene and transmitted a rescue, but other firefighters were unable to rescue him.
Between 20 and 25 residents were rescued by firefighters from what was described as a chaotic scene.
Ten were taken to area hospitals for treatment and one was later declared dead.
Two other firefighters were injured, one of whom appeared to have suffered a health problem, possibly a heart attack. The other was treated and released.
All firefighters in Rockland County are volunteers. When they are not risking their lives, they are postal workers, bakers, police and small business owners.
Many displaced residents were taken by bus to nearby facilities.
One resident was initially reported missing, but all residents have already been counted.
It took more than six hours to get the fire under control, and firefighters spent the day battling “a ton of hot spots” and with water supply problems.
The facility, which offers assisted living, nursing homes and long-term care for the elderly, is a total loss.
Denise Kerr, director of Evergreen Court Home for Adults, released the following statement on Tuesday:
“This is an indescribable tragedy at Evergreen Court Home and our hearts and prayers go out to all the individuals and families who have been affected. We join the community in mourning for the loss of our deceased resident and we pray for the safety of the missing firefighter. We are fully cooperating with all state and local authorities in investigating this fire and also conducting our own in-house investigation. Our team was truly heroic in evacuating the residents who were inside the building when the fire spread, and we are forever grateful to the first respondents whose actions undoubtedly saved all lives. All 112 residents of Evergreen Court Home have been counted and placed in a new home. We are currently contacting their families. Anyone who wants to contact us to ask about a family member can call to 973-378-1997 or send an email to [email protected]. “
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