At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2005 the Mechanicstown Fire Department and Town of Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps were alerted for an explosion and fire with burn victim. The call was located at a residence near the intersection of Avenue E & Bellvernon Avenue.
Mechanicstown Command (Chief Paul Smith) arrived and reported a well involved 1.5 story frame dwelling with a serious burn victim on the front lawn. At that time a second alarm was transmitted bringing units from City of Middletown, Goshen & Silver Lake to the scene, eventually a unit from Circleville Fire Department assisted at the scene as well.
The cause of the fire, which heavily damaged the home, is under investigation by the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit.
The burned occupant of the home was flown to the Burn Unit at the Westchester Medical Center.
