6 adults and 6 children homeless after Peekskill fire

Firefighters were able to rescue some goldfish and a pair of pet turtles from the flames. However, a pet cat did not survive.

Katerina Belales

Feb 5, 2024, 12:54 PM

Updated 324 days ago

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Twelve people are now homeless after fire ravaged a multifamily home in Peekskill over the weekend.
Investigators say the house at 1017 Orchard Street is a total loss.
The Peekskill Fire Department said they were called out to the two-alarm fire around 10:15 Sunday.
The fire was so hot that parts of the side and back shed of the house next door melted from the heat. However, Peekskill Fire Chief Jim Seymour says the inside of that house was not damaged.
No injuries were reported, but six adults and six children are now seeking temporary shelter.
"They are not going to be allowed back in. The Peekskill Building Department was here and did an evaluation. They have deemed the structure to be unsafe. So, we have the Peekskill Office of Emergency Management here with the American Red Cross, at least trying to find temporary shelter for the 12 people that are being displaced," said Chief Seymour.
Firefighters were also able to rescue some goldfish and a pair of pet turtles from the flames. However, a pet cat did not survive.
While fire officials haven't determined the exact cause of the fire yet, the chief says they're focusing the investigation around some electrical wiring on the rear outside part of the house.