Fire sparked by candle scorches Mount Vernon home

MOUNT VERNON – A two-alarm blaze on South 12th Avenue that displaced 12 residents in two houses Monday afternoon was sparked by a candle, officials said.

The fire broke out at 13 S. 12th Ave. and spread next door to 15 S. 12th Ave. The families at No. 15 were able to return home but the two families at No. 13 — one family of four and another of eight — had to be relocated.

Fire Chief Edward Stevenson said the fire started on the second floor after a candle fell on clothes.

"(The occupants) exited the premises and called the fire department," he said. "There was a lot of fire on (our) arrival."

Fire departments in Yonkers, Pelham Manor and Eastchester provided mutual aid to the Mount Vernon department.

Three dogs were rescued from the first floor of No. 13, but Stevenson said firefighters were unable to get to three other dogs on the second floor. He said one firefighter was taken to the hospital with an injured hand.

The Red Cross was called in by the city to help those displaced find emergency housing and provide mental health counseling.