Apartment House Fire Affects 90 In Spring Valley

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A large apartment house fire on Kennedy Drive affected 32 families Wednesday, according to the Red Cross.

The blaze started about 1 p.m. at the Country Village Towers.

At least four residents had to be rescued from the top floor, The Journal News reported, including a 2-year-old carried down seven flights of stairs by Spring Valley firefighter Evan Humphrey (who said saving a life was a wonderful way to celebrate his 42nd birthday).

Red Cross teams initially set up a reception center at Spring Valley Senior High School for the roughly 90 people affected to gather, rest and register. Meals, water, snacks and relief items were also available at the school.

"In addition to the assistance at the high school, we provided emergency funds for things like temporary lodging, food and clothing," said Michael de Vulpillieres, communications officer for the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter. "Our caseworkers remain available to the families to help address additional needs and to help connect them to community resources. Anyone with follow-up questions or those who have not yet connected with the Red Cross can call 877 RED CROSS (option 1)."

Agencies and volunteers helping the Spring Valley Fire Department included Hillcrest, Monsey, Nanuet, Pearl River, Suffern, Tallman, Hillcrest Ambulance and Chaverim of Rockland.