Jan. 30--YONKERS, N.Y. -- Arson investigators in Yonkers are looking into witness reports that kids were seen lighting fire to paper in front of a house that later erupted in flames. The 3 alarm fire destroyed the four story wood frame building and left 30 people homeless.
The blaze broke out shortly before 2:30 and spread so quickly it went to multiple alarms, bringing out some 60 firefighters. Five of them suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Several residents of the building had to be evacuated.
Assistant Fire Chief Edward Cucolo told PIX 11 News one couple initially thought it was a small electrical fire and tried to put it out themselves with four, then sugar and finally water, but the flames spiraled out of control. It was a stubborn and challenging blaze for firefighters to fight, in part, because of low water pressure.
The building is located on a dead- end street. It wasn't until nightfall that the fire was declared under control. But there remained pockets of flame and smoke that billowed from windows of the gutted building that will have to be leveled.
Putting a face on the fire, 30 people, including half a dozen children are now homeless. The Red Cross is helping them with temporary shelter and counseling at the local community center. A tearful Shasety Avila told us she discovered her home going up in flames as she returned from work. She stood by helpless. "I lost everything," she cried. Her niece and nephew, who were visiting, and her dog did get out safely.
Copyright 2012 - WPIX-TV, New York
