News

Early Friday afternoon on July 8, 2001, the volunteers were called to the Holiday Inn on Kings Highway. The buildings automatic alarm had signaled that there was a problem. First on the scene was the Orangetown Fire Inspector (Ex-chief from Pearl River) Doug Sampath. Doug entered the building and noticed a heavy smoke condition on the second floor.

Inspector Sampath passed this information to Captain John Ahlf the officer of the to the first due apparatus on the 11-1750. Captain Ahlf immediately called mutual aid from Sparkill for their RIT and Tappan for an Engine.

Our crew from the 1750 entered the building and proceeded to the second floor while our crew from the 11-Tower went to the roof.

The Roof Division found a work area above the area where the smoke was entering the 2nd floor. The crew on the roof located an area that was burning underneath the roof membrane.

This is a very dangerous situation as the fire can literally run underneath the roofing material.

Our crews were aware of this situation as we have encountered this type of fire previously at Aluf Plastics several years ago. A cut of the roof material prevented the fire from extending beyond its point of origin.

The cooperation of Holiday Inn's management helped keep this fire relatively small and limited any future potential problem. A complete search of the wing was conducted and all visitors were evacuated.

No injuries were reported even though the temperatures were around 90.