Mount Vernon apartment fire leaves roughly 120 residents displaced in Westchester County
A raging fire in Mount Vernon, New York forced dozens of people out of an apartment building early Sunday morning in Westchester County.
Mount Vernon officials said the flames broke out shortly before 3 a.m. at a building on Cottage Avenue. Hours later, there was still an active scene.
Early morning fire on Cottage Ave. in Mount Vernon
Officials said the fire started in a kitchen on the seventh floor and then spread to the cockloft, the space between the ceiling and the roof.
"The fire got inside there, and once it gets inside there, it spreads all over," Mount Vernon Fire Chief Juan Peralta said.
Neighbors said they could see and smell the smoke from blocks away, plus charred walls and broken windows as they got up close.
"Blazing fire, blazing, blazing was just going and going and going," said resident Eileen Charles Forteau.
Multiple agencies were called to assist, including the FDNY and emergency responders from across Westchester.
"This is an old age style pre-war building, and there are no standpipes. So, of course, that makes it a little more difficult," Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on the scene.
Two residents were taken to Jacobi Medical Center, and five firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Help for residents who have been displaced
The mayor and the Red Cross were on the scene to help the roughly 120 residents who were displaced.
"Families that have been impacted are being serviced over at the Doles Center here in Mount Vernon so that they can get some warmth, some beverage, fill out the paperwork that is necessary, so that we can begin getting them housing vouchers and food vouchers and assistance," the mayor said.
Neighbors across the street were also impacted -- all just days before Thanksgiving.
"My building didn't have no water right now because I guess all the water is gone," Charles Forteau said.
The mayor is urging anyone affected to visit Holmes School/Honor Academy at 10 a.m. Monday, where city and county agencies will be on site to provide support.