Eastchester Fire District Press Release

June 18, 2025

At 2:25 am the Eastchester Fire District was dispatched to a report of a structure fire in the rear of 124

Lawrence Avenue Eastchester. While enroute the Westchester County Department of Emergency

Services (60-Control) dispatchers updated the reported location of the fire to 197 Park Avenue

Eastchester. Upon arrival the members found a well-involved house fire at 203 Park Avenue Eastchester,

a two-story single-family home. The fire units began an interior fire attack and search of the home. The

initial incident commander requested a 10-75 response to the scene, which brings the remaining

Eastchester FD units to the scene and dispatches New Rochelle FD to cover the Fire District while the

Eastchester FD units are operating at the fire scene. Upon entry, the members found a very cluttered

condition throughout the home making it difficult to stretch hose lines and conduct searches in the

home. Upon the arrival of the Fire Chief Brian Tween who assumed command of the scene, a second

alarm was requested to respond. The second alarm assignment brought a New Rochelle FD engine and

ladder truck and safety officer, a Yonkers FD Battalion Chief, engine, and ladder truck to the scene, and a

Mount Vernon FD engine and ladder truck to cover the Fire District. Four hose lines were stretched into

the home to fight the fire in the garage, first floor, second floor, and the attic. While conducting a search

of the first floor, a New Rochelle firefighter fell through the floor and had to be rescued by the members

of his ladder company. A New Rochelle engine company on scene was directed to assist with the

firefighter rescue. The Mount Vernon engine and truck were dispatched to the scene for additional

manpower and a Scarsdale FD engine and Greenville FD ladder responded to cover the Fire District. A

Yonkers FD ladder company conducting a search on the first floor was able to locate a victim and

remove her outside through a side door. An Eastchester EMS Paramedic evaluated the elderly female

victim but unfortunately, she did not survive. She was the only occupant in the home. All units were

ordered out of the building due to the cluttered condition of the home and there were several holes in

the first floor where the fire had burned through. At this point, an exterior attack was initiated and an

aerial ladder master stream and several exterior hose lines were utilized to darken down the remaining

fire in the home. Once the main body of fire was knocked down, an interior attack was resumed to

extinguish any hot spots. A total of three firefighters were treated for minor injuries. A total of fifty fire

officers and firefighters had responded to the scene before it was declared under control. Scarsdale EMS

was on scene as a rehab unit. An Eastchester FD engine remained on scene until 12 pm to watch for any

flare ups.