Fire Victims Remain In Shelter, Seek New Homes

Three families who were left homeless by last week's fire remain in emergency shelter, according to the Red Cross.

A total of 11 people were displaced, including a family of two adults and three children, a family of two adults and two children, and a couple. They were able to return to the house at 259 Olivia St. to retrieve their belongings and clothes, but they won't be moving back in.

The families remain in a Red Cross shelter, where they're receiving emotional support and assistance in finding new homes.

"The community in Port Chester is so connected that offers of apartments" starting coming in Friday, said Carolyn Sherwin, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross of Greater New York. "This is a time when family and friends really reach out and help."

Firefighters rushed to the Olivia Street home at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3, bringing the blaze under control in about 10 minutes. Their quick actions prevented the fire from claiming the entire house, and Assistant Village Manager Christopher Steers credited the Port Chester Fire Department for a "prompt and professional response" and averting potential disaster if the fire had spread.

In addition to cataloguing fire, smoke and water damage in the basement and part of the first floor, authorities asked Con Ed to cut power to the building after initial walk-throughs by inspectors revealed "multiple" code violations.

The fire was sparked by workers using an open flame to "sweat" copper pipes in the basement.

Inspectors found illegal apartments in the basement and attic of the house, and a review of records revealed the landlord ignored citations in 2006 and 2009.

Last week's blaze was the sixth major fire over the past year that was attributed to -- or revealed -- serious housing safety issues and . Almost 100 people have been displaced by those fires.

Port Chester's trustees are expected to discuss the fire and ongoing housing safety issues when they meet tonight at the village courthouse.

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