The Heroes Of Hawkes Avenue Fire Honored In Ossining

OSSINING, NY — After tragedy was averted thanks in part to the quick actions of rescuers, a Hudson Rivertown expressed its gratitude.

The Ossining Town Board honored 10 first responders at the start of a board meeting for their actions during the Aug. 7, fire that destroyed a residential building on Hawkes Avenue. Among those recognized was Westchester County Police Department Officer Louis Rinaldi, who was serving in his capacity as an Ossining Fire Department lieutenant that night.

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Rinaldi, Ossining Fire Department Foreman Michael Aurora and eight Ossining Police Department officers were the first to arrive after lightning struck the building and ignited a massive blaze. The responders were recognized for evacuating the multi-occupied residential building in the first minutes of the fire as conditions worsened.

"These ten brave individuals successfully evacuated an entire multi-occupied residential building in only a matter of minutes without protective gear and while conditions rapidly deteriorated," Assistant Chief Joseph Rinaldi told the Ossining Town Board. "I truly believe that their actions saved lives that evening."

The recognition focused on the earliest response to the blaze and the evacuation effort before additional help arrived.

The board also recognized multiple fire and EMS agencies, along with the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, for their response at the multi-alarm fire.

The town’s public recognition came during a ceremony held at the start of the Ossining Town Board meeting. The ceremony can be viewed on the Town of Ossining’s YouTube page.