2 Dead, 3 Hospitalized After 3-Alarm Westchester House Fire, NYSP ID 93-Year-Old Man As A Victim

LEWISBORO, NY — Officials have now identified one of the victims of a deadly house fire in Westchester County.

The New York State Police say that on Thursday, around 12:40 p.m., troopers from Somers, along with Lewisboro Police Department officers, responded to a home on Old Shop Road, in the town of Lewisboro, after receiving reports of a residential structure fire with possible entrapment.

Subscribe

At the scene, officers and the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Somers were told that two people were found within the home.

State police say that 93-year-old Noel M. Rae was taken to an area medical facility, where he later died. A second person was found dead inside the home, with identification pending further investigation.

Three additional people were able to escape the home and were taken to a local medical facility for evaluation.

"Lewisboro Police officers responded to reports of a house fire with initial information indicating that two individuals were trapped inside," the Lewisboro Police Department said in a statement. "Two officers entered the residence to assist those in danger and were immediately met with a flashover condition. Both sustained injuries and were transported to Westchester Medical Center."

Police said one of those officers was treated and released, while the second remains in the Burn Center Intensive Care Unit.

"We are grateful that both officers are expected to recover. Their courageous actions exemplify the highest standards of our profession and reflect an unwavering commitment to protecting life," the department said.

Elected officials mourned the victims, and paid tribute to those who put themselves in harm's way to helped save lives.

"My heart aches for the Rae family during this unspeakable tragedy," NYS Senator Pete Harckham said. "Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you to the amazing first responders who risked their lives to keep this tragedy from being worse."

State police say the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is ongoing.

"Today we had a residential fire in Lewisboro on Old Shop Road in Cross River. Per information provided at the scene by NYS Police Troop K, the fire is under investigation," Town of Lewisboro Supervisor Tony Goncalves said in a statement. "A local family was impacted by this fire so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I do want to thank our amazing first responder agencies including our Fire Departments, LVAC, LPD and the mutual aid provided by neighboring agencies."

Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce shared a personal connection to the tragedy.

"My heart aches for this local family, who are also long-time friends," Pierce said. "Simultaneously, I am beyond grateful for the tremendous acts of bravery performed, in the face of an extremely difficult fire, by our volunteer first responders and local public safety. This includes John Jay High School's SRO, a member of the Westchester County Police Department, who saw the smoke, leaped into action and was first on the scene. In addition, critical mutual aid came from many other local volunteer fire and ambulance, both inside and beyond the district. Over 100 firefighters were on hand to battle that blaze, with local dispatchers, behind the scenes, playing a critical roll. As bad as the day was, it still could have been much worse if it weren’t for all these heroes. A debt of gratitude for you all."

Several agencies assisted during the fire, including the Lewisboro Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the Katonah Fire Department, the North Salem Fire Department, the South Salem Fire Department, the Bedford Hills Fire Department, the Golden's Bridge FD, the Croton Falls Fire Department, the West Harrison Fire Department, the Danbury Fire Department, the New Canaan Fire Department, the Ridgefield Fire Department, the Mill Plain Fire Department, Westchester County EMS, the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, and the Westchester County Fire Investigation Unit.

"The Department wishes to acknowledge the courageous efforts by all first responders at this week's house fire in Cross River," South Salem Fire Department officials said. "Our thoughts remain with both the affected family as well as the police officer who remains hospitalized following a flashover condition. Thank you to all the support from our local businesses, residents and neighboring Departments over the past couple days as our community deals with this tragedy."