Fire Crews Make Quick Work Of High-Rise Fire At Abandoned Hospital

PORT CHESTER, NY — Firefighters quickly knocked down a threatening fire at an infamous local landmark on Tuesday afternoon.

Port Chester firefighters were dispatched to Boston Post Road and High Street for a fire at the abandoned United Hospital campus. The first crews to arrive on the scene reported a large column of smoke.

A large pile of debris was on fire, partially spreading to a 12-story vacant building on the property.

Crews stretched two hand lines and put a master stream in operation to knock down the bulk of the fire, while other crews on the scene entered the building, facing heavy smoke on the second floor. Firefighters fought their way into two exposed apartments. According to fire officials, the main body of the fire was quickly knocked down from the exterior and hot spots were opened up with the assistance of an excavator on site. A thorough search of the abandoned building found no victims in need rescue.

The fire was placed under control in just under an hour, according to the PCFD.

Port Chester units E61, 63, 64, 62, 60, TL2, L31, R41, Car 2391 (Chief Sposta), 2392 (Chief Storino) and 2393 (Chief Melillo) were called to battle the blaze, according to the department. Six neighboring departments, including Rye Brook, Rye, Purchase, Town Of Mamaroneck, Tarrytown and West Harrison were called to assist. Meanwhile, units from Port Chester, the Village Of Mamaroneck, Harrison and Bedford Hills stood ready to help while Port Chester Fire was occupied by the high-rise fire.