By Dan Murphy
The winter time is the busiest time of year for the Yonkers Fire Department, as many multi-family homes and apartments catch fire for a variety of reasons, the biggest being the misuse of space heaters and stoves.
Yonkers’ bravest responded to an alarm at about 1:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at 45 Kathwood Road, which is a two-story wood frame residential home. The fire reportedly started in the first-floor bedroom and then spread to the second floor.
The owner of the home was able to evacuate the building, and the elderly resident was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Two firefighters also suffered minor injuries.
The first floor was held to a one-alarm fire with 45 firefighters at the scene. The fire was declared under control and extinguished at 2:30 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters discovered a black cat hiding under the bed during the fire. This tough cat was rescued and is shown with a firefighter from Engine 314.
Another recent fire in Yonkers at 251 Warburton Ave. took place Dec. 4 at about 7:15 p.m. It was a one-alarm fire with 45 firefighters on the scene, with fire found in the walls between the first and second floors, and some fire spreading to the roof.
The walls and ceilings and part of roof had to be opened by firefighters to search for pockets of fire. Units remained on the scene for about two hours checking for hidden areas of fire.
Eight families were displaced and taken to a temporary shelter in the neighborhood. They were being taken care of by the Red Cross and Office of Emergency Management, who were attempting to find temporary housing for those in need of it.
It is unknown when those residents affected may return to the building. One minor injury was sustain by a firefighter, with no civilian injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
