'May Day': Firefighters Escape House Fire After Floor Collapses

GOSHEN, NY — Firefighters were lucky to escape serious injury when a stairwell collapsed under them as they were fighting a house fire Thursday night.

Shortly before 9 p.m., the Goshen Fire Department was called to a house fire on Middle Street in the Village of Goshen. The single-family balloon-frame residence was engulfed in heavy fire when crews arrived at the scene. Hoses were stretched, and the house was searched to make sure all occupants had escaped safely.

About 22 minutes into fighting the flames, the bulk of the fire was knocked down on the first floor, and fire crews were moving to the second floor via the interior stairs, when the interior stairs and the safety ladder placed over them collapsed into the basement, according to a statement from Chief Peter Easop, Sr.

Two Goshen firefighters fell into the basement during the collapse, and a third firefighter was trapped on the second floor at the top of the stairs. A mayday was transmitted, adding a 3rd alarm, and FAST teams were deployed to assist, the chief said.

The firefighter at the top of the stairs was able to evacuate via a ground ladder placed to a second-floor window. One firefighter who had partially fallen into the basement was removed by companies operating inside and the FAST resources, including members of the Washingtonville Fire Department and Wawayanda Fire Company - Slate Hill Fire Department, according to fire officials. The other firefighter, who had completely fallen into the basement, was removed through the interior basement stairs with assistance from other Goshen and mutual aid firefighters, the department said.

Once all members were removed, the building was evacuated to reassess the structure, after which interior operations resumed and the fire was extinguished.

The three firefighters involved were treated at the scene by Goshen EMS. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Village of Goshen Police Department and the Orange County Fire Services Fire Investigation Unit.

"The Goshen Fire Department extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our mutual aid partners for their assistance, and in particular the Firefighter Assist and Search Teams who responded quickly and professionally to assist our members," Chief Peter Easop said in his statement.