Cigarette in Dry Mulch Blamed for Fire that Destroys Home

Rockland County fire officials today are warning residents to use extra caution when disposing of lit smoking materials after an early-morning fire caused by a cigarette dumped in dry landscaping mulch destroyed a Garnerville home.

A second home, this time in Stony Point, was also threatened this morning as a fire broke out in dry mulch materials around the home.

Rockland County Fire and Emergency Services Director Gordon Wren Jr. said the home at 32 High St. caught fire after smoldering mulch ignited. While the family living in the home escaped without injury, the home was destroyed in the 1:44 a.m. fire that took about 55 volunteer firefighters to knock down.

Deputy Fire Coordinator John Kryger said the family acknowledged that someone had been smoking outside the home. Kryger said that the home was fully engulfed by flames when members of the West Haverstraw Fire Department arrived at the home — a module home built about 10 years ago.

The family, and its dog, made it out of the home safely, but the escape was not easy.

Kryger said a resident of the home smelled smoke and alerted other members of the family. When they tried to get out the front door, Kryger said the family was met with a wall of fire. The family members were able to get out of the home through a rear door.

The fire is believed to have spread from the home's landscaping mulch to its vinyl siding and then to the front porch. All that remains of the home is a burned out shell.

Kryger said firefighters had to battle the fire from outside the home because the flames were so intense that it prevented them from getting into the home.

Volunteer firefighters from Thiells, Haverstraw, Stony Point, Hillcrest and Congers were called to assist in the firefighting efforts. Firefighters were at the home until about 5 a.m. Volunteers of the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps and members of Rockland Paramedics were at the fire in case of injury.

Kryger said neighboring homes sustained some minor damage, such as melted vinyl siding. The displaced family was able to find shelter and also received emergency assistance from the American Red Cross.

West Haverstraw and Haverstraw building and fire inspectors and members of the Rockland County Sheriff's Department Bureau of Criminal Identification were at the home to assist with the fire investigation. Kryger said the fire has been determined to be an accident.

In a 10 a.m. fire at 9 Wiles Drive in Stony Point today, a neighbor saw flames coming from landscaping mulch. Kryger said Stony Point firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, which did not spread to the home.

Wren urged that residents who smoke use extra care in disposing of smoking materials. He suggested that a simple can with water makes for an safe tool for disposing of smoking materials outside a home.

Wren said continuing dry conditions throughout Rockland County have led to numerous brush fires.