Investigators raided a New York village hall as part of a probe into a March assisted living home fire that killed a firefighter and a resident.
The raid of Spring Valley's village hall Wednesday was conducted because investigators believe documents concerning the Evergreen Court fire are possibly fraudulent, and the entire village has now been included in the investigation, WNBC-TV reports. Veteran Spring Valley firefighter Jared Lloyd died when he became trapped during the assisted living center fire, and crews were unable to reach him.
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Wednesday's raid was led by the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, and state fire inspectors and federal Department of Homeland Security agents also participated. Mayor Alan Simon—a former judge who was removed and disbarred for misconduct—would not comment to WNBC about the raid.
Reports days after the fire indicated that Evergreen Court's automated fire alarm system as part of preparations for Passover. A koshering cleansing ritual for the Jewish holiday includes removing food with leavening agents in it and, in some cases, using a blowtorch in the oven.
Officials, however, could not confirm if the alarm had indeed been deactivated.
Lloyd, 35, trained as a volunteer firefighter and had served in the fire service for 15 years. He made the rank of second lieutenant as part of Spring Valley's Columbian Engine Co. No. 1.
Lloyd is survived by his wife and two sons. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Lloyd's family.
