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Suffern apartment building fire displaces residents

James O’Rourke, jorourke@lohud.com
Firefighters respond to a fire at 107 Stewart Circle in Suffern on Tuesday.
  • No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze
  • Battling the fire in the inclement weather required 75 firefighters from several departments
  • About 25 people were displaced by the fire

SUFFERN – The residents of a 16-unit Stewart Circle apartment complex were displaced Tuesday when a basement fire forced authorities to cut utility service to the building, officials said.

There were no injuries during the blaze, which was first reported at 107 Stewart Circle about 5:50 p.m., said Suffern Fire Chief Michael Stark.

"The first crews on scene stretched the line, found the scene of the fire and were able to extinguish it fairly quickly," Stark said.

What caused the fire was not yet clear. Stark said the Rockland County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Investigations was investigating.

Though the flames were placed under control after about 25 minutes, battling the blaze in the drenching, cold rain required the efforts of about 75 firefighters from the Suffern, Tallman, Hillcrest, Monsey and Mahwah, N.J., fire departments. Stark said the volunteers were also used as needed.

Stark and Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborn credited Suffern police Sgt. Dave Tarantino and K-9 Officer Lou Venturini — the first authorities on the scene — for their efforts in evacuating the building's residents.

"They responded, and found heavy smoke inside the building," Osborn said. "They went inside and evacuated everyone they could, knocking on all the doors. ... At this point, our job is to contact the Red Cross. We're going to try to get housing and shelter for these residents tonight."

During the fire, police were able to provide temporary shelter in an open room of a neighboring building. Later, the village aided in transporting the victims to a room at 41 Wayne Ave., where the Suffern Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary was providing food, officials said.

Carolyn Sherwin, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said about 25 people living in the building were displaced by the fire. Her organization provided aid to about six adults, she said, noting that the others were able to find their own accommodations for the evening.

"We're working very closely with emergency officials," she said. "Right now, we're assessing everyone's immediate needs."

Twitter: @JORourkeT800