Poningo Street Fire Displaces 25 People

A blaze at 49 Poningo Street displaced 25 Port Chester residents, eight of them children, last night, according to officials. About 55 firefighters reportedly responded to the fire that started around 9:15 p.m. While none of the residents were injured, two firefighters were transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion, according to news reports.

The second floor sustained heavy damage at 49 Poningo, a three-story multi-family home. While the fire did not cause severe damage the multi-family home attached to it at 51 Poningo, that side of the building was also evacuated last night, said Carolyn Sherwin, a Red Cross volunteer.

Families from 51 Poningo were allowed to go back in and collect their things last night, but Sherwin does not expect that the families will be allowed back in the building for some time now. 

The Port Chester Police Department opened a reception center last night where the Red Cross met with at least one family.

“We are extremely appreciative of all the help from the police for opening up the reception center and contacting us,” Sherwin said. Most of the families stayed with friends and family last night, she said.