On Monday December 26th 2022, at 9:23am, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched by 60-Control to a reported structure fire on Barlow Court in Somers. Somers FD Assistant Chief John Meeker (Car 2443) signed on immediately and reported visible smoke from a distance. Assistant Chief Meeker requested the working fire assignment (10-75). Upon arrival at 9:29am, Car 2443 reported a 2 story wood frame residential structure with fire showing. Car 2441 Chief of Department Jon Mackey arrived shortly after and established command. Engine 181 staffed with four firefighters arrived shortly after and deployed a 2inch handline to the second floor. Engine 185 and Rescue 20 arrived and were assigned to a primary search of the building. The crew from Engine 181 were able to hold the fire to the area of origin while Somers firefighters with assistance from Yorktown firefighters conducted a primary search of the building for victims, they were unable to search the fire room due to heavy fire conditions. Two handlines were put into operation and the fire was knocked down a short time later. Approximately 60 firefighters operated on scene and there were no injuries to firefighters.

During a search of the building after the fire was knocked down a resident was found deceased in the fire room. The resident is described as a male in his 70’s and no other occupants were home at the time of the fire. This is the second fatal fire in Somers this year. The fire is currently under investigation by Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Cause & Origin team and the New York State Police, currently the cause of the fire is undetermined. Somers Firefighters operated on scene until approximately 4:00pm. The following agencies assisted in the operations:

Somers FD run #22-2,866

The following agencies assisted in the operations:
Somers FD:
Car 2441(IC), 2442, 2443
Engines 181, 185
Tower Ladder 18, Ladder 48
Rescue 20
Utility 5, Mini-Attack 14
Car 8012, 8013
80B5, 80B1

Mutual Aid:
Westchester EMS 45-M-2
Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Battalion 13, Car 4, Car 24, C&O
Yorktown Heights Volunteer FD
Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association Lake Mohegan Professional Firefighters Local 2956
Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department
Millwood Fire
Mahopac Falls Vol. Fire Department
Bedford Hills Fire Department
Croton Falls Fire Department (Relocate)
Katonah Fire Department (Relocate)

Photos courtesy: Ray Baker Jr.