Recently a home smoke alarm system did what it was intended to do when it notified the homeowner and the Fire Department about a fire in the residence.

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 19:17 hours the Croton Falls Fire Department was dispatched to a residence on Vail Lane following the activation of a smoke alarm. Upon arrival, Assistant Chief Dan Dreyer met the homeowner who informed him there was a fire in one of the bedrooms on the second floor. After giving an update to 60 Control and Chief Jason Blauvelt who was en route, Assistant Chief Dreyer geared up and proceeded to the second floor to knock down the fire with a fire extinguisher.

While responding, Chief Blauvelt requested two mutual aid tankers to the scene in case the fire extended from the bedroom, and then assumed command upon his arrival. Responding units ensured the fire was extinguished, completed primary and secondary searches, checked for extension, removed a mattress and bedding that had caught fire, and vented the residence.

A fire investigator from the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services determined the fire was accidental and the origin was electrical in nature.

Homeowners are reminded to take care when using extension cords and power strips with multiple devices plugged in simultaneously. And the value of a smoke detector connected to an alarm system once again proved its worth by providing early notification of a fire leading to the quick dispatch of firefighters.