Small Fire at Highpoint Drive Multiple Dwelling
 
By Captain Timothy Mentrasti
March 8, 2015
 

At just before 3pm on Sunday March 8, 2015 Hartsdale Fire Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a fire at 200 Highpoint drive. The caller was a resident on the third floor. The caller reported smoke and heavy odor of something burning from the apartment below. Hartsdale dispatched Car 2172, Engine 170, Engine 169 along with Fairview Engine 174 and Ladder 1. Within just under 3 minutes and 30 seconds of the 911 call, Car 2172, Engines 170 and 169 were all on scene. Car 2172 established command while members began entering the building to investigate. Simultaneously the chauffers of both engines had teamed up to stretch a 3 inch line into the standpipe system of the building, quickly followed by a supply line to the fire hydrant. The attack group immediately identified the odor of something burring but no smoke in the common hallway. A dry line was quickly stretched off the standpipe. With the line flaked out and in place, two members began conventional forcible entry to the reported fire apartment. With the door open, a moderate smoke condition and heavy odor of burning was present in the apartment. The 170 Captain requested the attack line be charged and members began a search of the apartment for both potential victims and the source of the smoke. Members identified the heaviest smoke to be present in the kitchen/living room area and focused a search in that area. Smoke stained glass and flames were visible on the rear porch from the window of the dinning area. Members opened the sliding glass door and quickly hit the fire with a pressurized water extinguisher as the line was moved into place. Once extinguishment was completed, members immediately began salvage and overhaul operations, attempting to limit damage. Hartsdale and Fairview units operated for just about one hour before returning to service.

 
Units: Car 2172, Engine 170, Engine 169
 
Mutual Aid: Fairview Ladder 1, Engine 174