Mayor: Electrical wires delayed response to deadly Newburgh fire, not department cuts
Mayor Torrance Harvey said in a Facebook live that manpower was not an issue in this deadly fire, but a delayed call for help and overhead wires.
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Jun 17, 2022, 11:27 AM
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Updated 770 days ago
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375ds agoThe mayor of Newburgh says a lack in manpower was not an issue for the deadly fire on Wednesday, but other factors.
Debra Benedict died in the blaze on Lander Street. Her adult son jumped and survived but is still hospitalized from his injuries.
MORE: Woman killed in overnight Newburgh fire; son in critical condition
RELATED: Newburgh community questions fire department cuts, codes after fire kills mother, hospitalizes son
RELATED: Newburgh community questions fire department cuts, codes after fire kills mother, hospitalizes son
About 31 residents were also displaced after the fire burned through the row-style homes.
Cuts to the fire department recently reduced the number of firefighters required on duty from 10 members to 7.
A statement from the International Association of Firefighters says Newburgh's city manager announced the closure of Engine Company 1 on Grand Street in January. It officially closed on June 15, one day before the fire.
The association believes had it still been operating, the fire could have been put out immediately.
However, Mayor Torrance Harvey said in a Facebook live that manpower was not an issue in this deadly fire, but a delayed call for help and overhead wires.
Harvey says after speaking with the fire chief, he learned that firefighters were unable to use the truck ladder because of electrical wires hanging across the building.
