Bedford Hills Fire Chief Joseph Lombardo said that his department responded shortly before midnight Tuesday for a chimney fire, which was at a home at 98 Buxton Road. A firefighter, who arrived in just minutes, observed heavy fire on the roof, Lombardo said, and the fire extended to the attic and roof line.
It took about an hour and a half to get the fire under control, Lombardo recalled. One firefighter was injured due to having fallen on ice, according to the chief.
The fire was caused by a malfunctioning chimney, Lombardo explained. Mutual aid was provided, according to the chief, by fire departments from Katonah, Mount Kisco, Goldens Bridge and Banksville. The Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps (KBHVAC) and Westchester EMS were also on scene, he noted.
The blaze caused the home's roof to collapse. The home is located at Buxton Gorge Farm, which traces its history to circa 1760. The farm is a short drive away from downtown Bedford Hills.
Firefighters had their second major call on Tuesday afternoon when they responded to a blaze that took place at a white home at 284 Guard Hill Road, which is near the overpass with Interstate 684. The property is also home to Seedswell Vegetable Farm.
The Bedford Hills Fire Department was dispatched at about 3:25 p.m., according to Lombardo, in response to a 911 call from a caretaker. Initially, the incident a considered a smoke investigation before it was learned that there was a structure fire, according to the chief.
It took about an hour for the fire to be placed under control, Lombardo explained. Damage was contained to the rear of the structure, according to the chief, which affected a garage and accessory apartment space. There were no injuries, Lombardo noted.
Mutual aid to the second fire, according to the chief, was provided by fire departments from Bedford Village, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Pound Ridge, Banksville and Goldens Bridge. KBHVAC and Westchester EMS were also on scene, Lombardo noted.
The cause of the second fire is under investigation, according to the chief.
Lombardo was upbeat about how firefighters were doing following two major blazes.
“Good,” he said, adding, "they’re holding up.”
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