Five Die In Fatal Pre-Dawn Fire In Spring Valley

NEW CITY, NY — Five people died, including two children, in a fire in Spring Valley — and five others were hospitalized, Rockland County officials said Saturday.

The fire at 118 Lake St. was reported at 4:03 a.m. and firefighters had it under control by 4:40 a.m. But by then five people were dead, a firefighter was injured, and five people had been rushed to the hospital.

A briefing on the work and challenges of the scene took place about 11 a.m. Rockland Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator Chris Kear, County Office of Buildings & Codes Director Ed Markunas, Spring Valley Police Chief Rich Oleszczuk and Spring Valley Police Lieutenant Jack Bosworth were alongside County Executive Ed Day, as were state Sen. Bill Weber and Assemblyman John McGowan.

Multiple 911 calls came in, Kear said. Police officers were on the scene within a minute and found the two-story wood-frame house fully on fire.

"Multiple efforts were made to get into the building, but with the conditions it was impossible," Kear said.

The hospitalized victims had made their way out; one jumped out of a second-story window, Kear said. Three bodies were found on the second floor, and two were found on the first level — preliminary investigation suggested part of the second floor collapsed, Kear said.

There were six local fire departments at the scene and others on standby. "I want to acknowledge their efforts today in a situation that was extremely, extremely difficult," Day said.

A cause and origin team is at work. Day said investigators are also finding out how many people were living in the two-family house. The Red Cross is helping survivors and their families.

Oleszczuk expressed condolences on behalf of all Spring Valley officials.

"If anyone has information on this, we'll listen to what you have to say," he said.

While a two-family houses don't fall under the purview of the Office of Building and Codes, Markunas said they looked into the records for this address. Previous violations had been fixed and none were outstanding, according to the records, he said.

"On behalf of the people of Rockland County we offer our sincerest prayers and thoughts to the families who were involved and those who have been displaced," Day said. "We will do whatever we can do to get them through this tragedy moving forward."

Watch the full press conference here.

Rockland County Legislator Toney L. Earl issued a statement:

Spring Valley has suffered a horrific tragedy and today, our community’s collective heart is broken. Five of our neighbors have been lost and five more have suffered injuries. I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences to all who have been impacted.

We want to know why? Why did this happen? An investigation is already being conducted and we will learn why. Right now, I ask our Spring Valley and our larger Rockland County community to pray for all involved and to come together to provide support in whatever ways we can.

I thank all the first responders who rushed to the scene to do whatever they could to save lives. The Spring Valley Police and Fire Departments, the ambulance crews, and paramedics. I also thank the county Office of Fire and Emergency Services, Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco and his department, including the BCI fire investigators, the Red Cross and everyone working to help.