Fire Crews Arrive In Minutes To Apartment Fire, Dog Is Only Victim

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A swift response by the Mount Vernon Fire Department is being credited with keeping a dangerous situation from becoming much worse.

The initial call reporting smoke in the building located on West First Street came in at 9:05 a.m.

Engine 204, the first to arrive, took charge at the scene. Ladder 61 successfully entered the building and located the fire. The teams started a thorough search and rescue operation, with the primary search finding that all inside had escaped the smoke and flames. Unfortunately, a secondary search revealed less happy news. A small dog died in the fire.

Despite heavy smoke, the crews managed to enter the apartment and contain the fire, which was confined to a bed. Remarkably, no residents were injured, and none of the firefighters were hurt.

The prompt and effective response by the Mount Vernon Fire Department is credited with preventing the fire from spreading to other floors or apartments in the building.

Fire officials said the fire remains under investigation.