Update: Overheated Electrical Conditioner Destroyed A House

Fire destroyed a residence at 1730 Central Street in Yorktown Heights on Memorial Day.

An overheated electrical conditioner in the dining room caused the fire, according to Fire Chief Martin McGannon. Based on preliminary investigations, it has been ruled out accidental. 

Yorktown Heights firefighters responded to the scene at 1:56 p.m. It took about 10 minutes to put out the fire, McGannon said. Firefighters had to break open numerous windows and punch a hole through the roof for ventilation purposes.

The fire required an all-hands help from the department. About 75 firefighters responded, including Somers and Lake Mohegan firefighters. Additionally, Millwood firefighters were standing by at their headquarters, McGannon said. 

Police and firefighters responded to the scene in reaction to 911 calls from neighbors.

No one was home at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured. 

"Upon [the homeowner's] arrival, he obviously sees his house on fire and he grabbed his chest and he had some elevated blood pressure," Chief McGannon said.

The homeowner was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital, but has since been released. 

Chief McGannon described the house as "extremely damaged." He said the interior of the house needs to be gutted and there is smoke and heat damage throughout the whole house. The house is inhabitable, but it did not sustain any structural damage.