2 Hours To Drop Off Items for Kennedy Fire Relief Drive

A relief drive is almost over to help families displaced by the fire in a Kennedy Drive high-rise building Wednesday in Spring Valley.

Drop off items from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friday at Spring Valley High School on Route 59.

About 30 families were affected, and the relief drive was started to help them replace what was lost or at this point is unavailable to them due to the fire, which caused heavy smoke damage.

The fire could have become a total tragedy if not for the efforts of the volunteer emergency responders, and one volunteer firefighter in particular, said the relief effort's organizer, Legislator Aaron Wieder.

He cited Evan Humphrey, who is also a Spring Valley Fire Inspector and will work to determine the fire’s cause. Humphrey, also a dispatcher for the Town of Ramapo Police Department, made his way to the seventh floor where the fire was burning and smoke quickly building up. There, he located a 2-year-boy and three other residents and, carrying the child, led everyone through the smoke down seven flights of stairs to safety. The four were transported to the hospital as a precaution.

“I thank Firefighter Humphrey and all of the first responders whose quick actions ensured a positive outcome instead of a tragic one,” Wieder said. “Thanks to their heroism, a child and multiple families were kept safe and reunited.”

ALSO SEE:

• Apartment House Fire Affects 90 In Spring Valley
• Fundraising For Family Displaced By Apartment Fire