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Fire crews were dispatched to a 13th Street home at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, where there were reports of the blaze in the first floor of the three-story residence.
While battling the blaze, fire officials said that crews dealt with freezing temperatures, which complicated efforts to knock down the flames, including the freezing of water from fire hoses.
The fire displaced at least one family, who are being assisted by volunteers. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said that this was the fifth major fire that the department has dealt with in just six weeks.
“Fire, particularly during periods of extreme cold, is something all cities must prepare for, especially cities as dense as Mount Vernon,” he said. “The administration is continuing to take steps to strengthen public safety in Mount Vernon, including by investing in preventive measures such as funding additional inspectors in the fire and building departments as well as completing a comprehensive plan that incorporates safety and sustainability as guidelines”
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