At least five firefighters were hospitalized for heat exhaustion while battling a five-alarm blaze Thursday afternoon in temperatures that hovered around the mid-90s.
More than 150 firefighters from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York responded to the fire that began at 106 North Orange Street in Port Jervis, N.Y. shortly before 2:30 p.m., according to The Times Herald-Record.
The flames quickly spread across the driveway to a neighboring home and the intense heat melted vinyl siding on a home behind that one and damaged the side of a house on the other side of the structure where the fire originated.
The five firefighters and a resident were transported to Bon Secours Community Hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion.
Several firefighters also were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion and the high temperatures made it difficult for crews to stay hydrated.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
