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Yonkers Blaze Injures Eight, Ruled Accidental

YONKERS, N.Y. – A Yonkers blaze that displaced one family and sent seven firefighters to the hospital Saturday night was not intentionally set, fire officials said Sunday.

Firefighters ruled Saturday's Dudley Place fire in Yonkers was accidental.

Firefighters ruled Saturday's Dudley Place fire in Yonkers was accidental.

Photo Credit: Meredith Shamburger

Assistant Fire Chief Edward Cucolo said investigators had accelerant-sniffing dogs at the 3 Dudley Place home Sunday morning but no such chemicals were found. 

Investigations revealed the fire may have been accidentally set by a hot iron, Cucolo said. 

One resident in a neighboring house was treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the blaze. Seven firefighters were taken to St. John’s Riverside Hospital after suffering various injuries, Cucolo said. Six were released by Sunday afternoon. 

The other firefighter will likely remain hospitalized for a couple more days after suffering severe dehydration, Cucolo said.

The flames erupted in the kitchen of the three-story home around 9:40 p.m.  By the time firefighters arrived, smoke was spewing down to Park Avenue and heavy fire was reported in the rear of the house, firefighters said.

Cucolo said he was aware of one family, a mother and daughter, permanently living in the home as two of the three apartments were in the process of being vacated.

The home's occupants had already escaped by the time firefighters arrived.

By 11:15 p.m. firefighters were still battling the blaze but had knocked down all visible flames, Yonkers Fire Chief Robert Capurso said at the scene.

Earlier, firefighters had been ordered out of the house after the blaze intensified and began pouring water on the home's exterior, Capurso said. 

“The fire had gotten into the walls and up in the attic,” he said.

The Yonkers Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross were assisting the displaced family.

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