Community Corner
[UPDATE] West Harrison Fire Chief: Cigarette May Have Caused Fatal Fire
Officials are investigating a fatal fire that took place this morning in the second-floor of apartment at 154 Underhill Ave. West Harrison fire officials have yet to identify the woman who died, but a neighbor described her as a woman in her 50s.
West Harrison fire officials said they were able to arrive at the scene of this morning’s fatal fire inside a two-story apartment building at 154 Underhill Ave. within minutes after it was called in at about 5 a.m.
The fire wasn’t even fully involved when firefighters arrived, according to West Harrison Fire Chief Steve Mancini said.
“The fire flashed over when we opened up the apartment door, causing it to come out the front two windows,” Mancini said.
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Mancini said the preliminary investigation shows the cause of the fire, which resulted in the death of an unidentified woman, might be careless smoking. But the fire still remains under investigation by Harrison police and county fire investigators.
Mancini said the victim’s body was found near a sofa in the apartment.
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Mancini said firefighters had a report of victim when they arrived, but the fire had become too intense and firefighters could not enter the apartment without the use of a hoseline.
“The inside was cluttered with furniture and personal belongings, which made it difficult for us to make our way into the apartment,” Mancini added.
Christina Lucca, who lives in the apartment adjacent from where the fire originated, was with her boyfriend, Juan Rodriguez, when she heard the fire alarm go off at about 5 a.m.
She quickly packed her dog and cat outside the apartment and fled with Rodriguez.
“The alarm has never gone off in our building, unless they were testing it,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said there was only one other woman inside the building. The residents of one of the units had gone away for the summer. Another unit has been vacant for at least two years.
Lucca described her neighbor as being in her late 50s.
“She was retired and she was on disability,” Lucca said. “I had just seen her at 6:30 p.m [Monday evening]. She looked like she was ill and had lost a lot of weight, but she didn’t look hurt. She was bringing up her groceries.”
Lucca said her neighbor was known around the neighborhood and could be seen smoking at her front window on a number occasions.
Firefighters from Harrison, Purchase, North White Plains and Valhalla assisted West Harrison at the scene of today's fire.
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