A pool of flaming gasoline spread across the garage floor, gushing out into the driveway. In the backyard, a blowtorch of propane sent firefighters scrambling. A “wall of fire” had engulfed the entire right side of the home. Any one of these could be expected at a fire, but all three combined seemed more like a scene from the movie “Backdraft”.

Just after noon, firehouse speakers across the city crackled with an urgent message: multiple callers reporting a home “fully involved” by fire. Although fierce wind gusts, frigid temperatures, and a near-foot-deep blanket of snow had most people hiding indoors today, your New Rochelle Firefighters raced out into the blizzard.

The address on the city’s northern frontier meant firefighters already hampered by the storm would be even further delayed. Some of the first – and most important – fire crews would likely take 10 to 15 minutes to arrive. Then, a stroke of luck. Usually the nearest firehouse is staffed by only three firefighters. Thankfully, this was not an ordinary day. During storms, more firefighters are sometimes __ to compensate for difficult conditions. Today, an extra fire engine and four firefighters were standing at the ready and arrived within minutes.

27 firefighters battled the fire, as well as the merciless conditions, for almost 4 hours. All occupants got themselves out safely, but several firefighters were injured.

News Coverage

Snow Blower May Have Sparked Terrifying New Rochelle Fire; Investigators Say

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – There were terrifying moments in the middle of the storm on Tuesday, as flames shot from the roof of a Westchester home. As CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reported, investigators believe a snowblower may be to blame. Residents in the New Rochelle neighborhood were weathering the massive snowstorm.

Fire claims New Rochelle home during winter storm

New Rochelle firefighters had their hands full with a house fire during the blizzard. You need the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player to view the video related to this article. Download Now. NEW ROCHELLE – New Rochelle firefighters had their hands full with a house fire during the blizzard.

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NRFD 159 THORNBURY 3-14-17 – Jon Thaler

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Two Firefighters Injured Battling Destructive House Fire in North End of New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Two firefighters were injured early Tuesday afternoon, after a fire destroyed a single-family on Thornbury Road in the far north end of New Rochelle. One firefighter was injured when a ceiling collapsed on him. He was taken to White Plains Hospital. The other was treated on the scene.

This afternoon, your firefighters overcame a …

This afternoon, your firefighters overcame a difficult fire in the West End. Flames had silently spread through the walls of an apartment building on Union Ave. Typical of older apartment buildings, hidden spaces in the walls had allowed fire to spread unnoticed from the basement to the top floor.

New Rochelle FD battled quick-moving fire on Union Avenue

NEW ROCHELLE – A fire spread from the basement to the top floor of a three-story building on Union Avenue after a boiler malfunctioned Thursday evening. Police said all eight apartments were destroyed, and at least 15 people, possibly more, were displaced.

VIDEO: Take this rare opportunity to see… – New Rochelle Firefighters | Facebook

VIDEO: Take this rare opportunity to see what your firefighters saw as we arrived at last night’s fire. We were told a man was last seen inside this…

Back at the #firehouse after last night’s #fire

Back at the #firehouse after last night’s #fire, safe but dirty! Time to clean up and get ready for the next one… #NewRochelle #NewRo # NewRoFire

Man escapes New Rochelle fire by climbing to roof of apartment building

NEW ROCHELLE – A religious candle set fire to curtains early this morning, causing a fire that gutted a bedroom in a downtown apartment building and displaced five families. The apartment’s residents and one police officer were taken to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

New Rochelle 2nd alarm 11-27-16 time out 0425

Working fire dispatched with a report of someone possible trapped upon the Deputy Chief arrival requested a 2nd alarm bringing the whole on duty units fire o…

Fire at 10 Hamilton Ave

Uploaded by Talk of the Sound on 2016-07-18.

“People trapped” – something no firefighter ever wants to hear on their radio. But just before midnight last night, that very message echoed through each of New Rochelle’s firehouses, launching crews into action.

Tragically, one of those trapped did not survive, having been in a room that was already engulfed by fire as firefighters arrived. Luckily, other residents were able to escape by climbing down a tree in the yard, preventing further loss of life.

Throughout the night, firefighters fought their way past intense flames only to be forced back out of the home again and again. Finally, in the early hours of morning, the fire was brought under control. Various collapsed areas, including much of the third floor, made operations inside the home slow and dangerous.

One firefighter was rushed to the hospital and many more were left exhausted and saddened by our lost resident.

New Rochelle FD working a fatal 3rd alarm house fire at 10 Hamilton Ave. July 18, 2016

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News Coverage

Body found after fire destroys home in New Rochelle

A body has been found after a third-alarm fire burned through a large house in New Rochelle overnight. Family members said one person, a woman, has not been located. Firefighters searched the collapsed home on Hamilton Avenue, where heavy flames broke out at around 11:45 p.m.

1 Missing, 2 Injured In New Rochelle Fire

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – One person is missing and two others are hurt after a large fire rips through a home in New Rochelle. The fire broke out on Hamilton Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The flames consumed the house for hours.

Fire Tears Through Westchester Home, Injuring 2: Police

A raging fire burned through a home in Westchester on Sunday night, sending firefighters scrambling to control the blaze, which injured two people, police said. The fire began sometime before 11:40 p.m. at a home on Hamilton Avenue in New Rochelle. The fire was still burning after 3 a.m., police said.

Woman killed in New Rochelle house fire

VIDEO: NEW ROCHELLE FATAL HOUSE FIRE Video: New Rochelle house heavily damaged in fire | 1:03 A devastating fire ripped through a historic New Rochelle home overnight. The blaze began just before midnight on July 17, 2016. Matt Spillane/The Journal News VIDEO: NEW ROCHELLE FATAL HOUSE FIRE VIDEO: New Rochelle house fire | 0:44 Firefighters battle a fire at 10 Hamilton Ave.

New Rochelle fire victim identified

A 55-year-old woman is dead after a fast-moving fire ripped through a New Rochelle home overnight Monday.

Greeted by Fleeing Occupants

When the first fire trucks pulled up to 50 Sickles Avenue this afternoon, the front yard was filled with escaped occupants reporting smoke in the building.

Conditions Change In an Instant

At first, the sixth floor hallway was relatively clear, but as soon as firefighters forced open the apartment door, heavy smoke began pouring out from floor to ceiling. After a brief search, crews found a kitchen fire that was just beginning to spread into the next room, and quickly stopped it in its tracks.

Firefighting Fact

50 Sickles Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801

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At 9 stories, 50 Sickles Ave is considered a high-rise, presenting unique firefighting challenges. For example, fires on upper floors are out of the reach of fire department ladders complicating rescue. Luckily, everything went well today!