Multiple Alarm Fire on Meadowbrook Road
 
By Second Assistant Fire Chief Graham Glauber
December 14, 2021
 

Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, December 14th, a 911 call came in through 60-Control from residents in a house on Meadowbrook Road reporting an active fire.

Car 2041 was first on scene with a large body of fire throughout the roof of a large 2 1/2 story wood frame house. Car 2043 and Engine 110 arrived shortly thereafter and laid supply line down the driveway to the garage of the house. Katonah Tanker 6 and Bedford Hills Tower Ladder 57 both followed in the driveway; the ladder immediately set up for a master stream. Car 2041 took command, Car 2042 and Car 2043 handled scene and mutual aid operations with Battalion 16 and County Car 4.

Car 2042 and Engine 109 backed into the top of the driveway and set up for pond drafting operations with portable pools. Bedford Hills Tanker 5 dropped the pond and first load of water. Crews on arriving tankers assisted at the house, and Mount Kisco U-13 acted as FAST.

All occupants and animals were quickly accounted for. An initial sweep of the inside of the house revealed advanced fire conditions throughout, compromised integrity, and a high risk factor for interior firefighting; a decision was made to perform as much fire attack from the exterior as possible.

The large body of fire required extensive water supply; Car 2043 called for three water sources to be set up at 100 Birch Drive (open source, South Salem E-167), the reservoir at Upper Hook x Old Post Road (open source, Armonk E-288/2021) and 800 Old Post Road (dry hydrant, Mount Kisco Engine 104). South Salem Car 2451 handled water supply operations. 13 tankers were utilized from Bedford Hills, Katonah, Croton Falls, Croton on Hudson, Banksville x2, Somers x2, Pound Ridge, South Salem, Vista, Goldens Bridge and Armonk.

Four hand lines were stretched from Engine 110, in addition to the tower ladder, to suppress the fire. Extensive overhaul was completed throughout the building, utilities were secured, and the fire was investigated by the Cause and Origin Team. NYSEG and the Town of Bedford Building Department were also on scene.

EMS operations were handled by Bedford Ambulance 52-B2, KBHVAC, Pound Ridge VAC, WEMS 45-Medic and EMS 11. One member was transported with a leg injury to Northern Westchester Hospital by Pound Ridge VAC; two additional members were treated with minor injuries at the scene.

Members fought a tough battle for many hours; conditions became icy as the night progressed. Bedford units returned to service around 7 a.m. the following day. Pleasantville FD, Chappaqua FD, Armonk FD, Pocantico Hills FD, and Port Chester FD stood by for Bedford FD and Bedford Hills FD during the event.

 
Units: Car 2041, Car 2042, Car 2043, Engine 109, Engine 110, Ambulance 52-B2, Utility 140, Utility 204
 
Mutual Aid: Armonk FD, Bedford Hills FD, Banksville FD, Mount Kisco FD, Goldens Bridge FD, South Salem FD, Pound Ridge FD, Vista FD, Chappaqua FD, Pleasantville FD, Pocantico Hills FD, Port Chester FD, Croton Falls FD, Croton on Hudson FD, Somers FD, KBHVAC, PRLVAC, WEMS 45-M3, EMS 11, WCDES Battalion 16, CC4, Bedford Building Dept, Bedford PD, NYSEG