Thanksgiving Fire Displaces Ossining Residents

Croton-on-Hudson firefighters assisted the Ossining Fire Department in battling a Thanksgiving afternoon fire in an apartment building on Charter Circle.

The fire spread through the cockloft in a 3-story, 12-unit building. The Journal News reported 16 households were displaced.

“An aggressive interior attack by Ossining Fire Department prevented a larger fire, and in turn got it under control rather quickly,” Croton fire officials said on Facebook. “Reports of a couple injuries to firefighters and police officers have been made, and our thoughts are with all for a speedy recovery.”

Red Cross volunteers were called to the scene quickly by Ossining fire officials, said coordinator Caroline Sherwin.

The village activated the Caputo Community Center as a reception center for the displaced residents.

In total 16 units were affected, some with heavy water damage. Others had heat or heat and electricity turned off. An estimated 25 people including three children were displaced.

“This was a classic example of neighbors helping neighbors,” Sherwin said. “Fire and police officials and a local outreach group were standing right by our side.”

All the displaced residents found places to stay with family and friends. The Red Cross has followed up with them. The building management was scrambling to get some of the residents back in as soon as possible, she said.

PHOTO: Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department’s post