Firefighters Combat Blaze, Rescue 4 Cats In Rockland

SPRING VALLEY, NY — Several 911 calls alerted firefighters to a blaze Saturday evening at an apartment complex in Spring Valley at 131 Heitman Drive.

Spring Valley Volunteer Firefighter Luis Nivelo and Spring Hill Ambulance Corps EMT Moe Ziegler provided oxygen to a cat that Nivelo rescued from an apartment. It was one of four cats rescued and re-united with their owners, Rockland Fires reported.

Spring Valley was assisted by neighboring departments including Chestnut Ridge and Monsey.

Nine families were displaced. They were helped by the Red Cross with emergency relocations, finance, referrals and comfort kits. The Salvation Army opened its building for the Red Cross to use as a reception center. Early Sunday morning volunteers worked with five families — 13 adults and 5 children — and then on Sunday afternoon met with four more families.

"We could not have done it without the help of Spring Valley officials and the Salvation Army," said Red Cross coordinator Caroline Sherwin.