A powerful explosion and fire in Croton-on-Hudson forced a dramatic escape Tuesday afternoon, as a single mother fled her apartment and helped rescue an elderly woman from the home.
The blast happened around 2 p.m. at a single-family house on Palmer Avenue, sending flames ripping through part of the structure and shaking nearby homes.
Neighbors say the woman who lived in the home acted quickly to get out — and made sure others were safe.
“The woman who lived there is a single mom, and she was very upset. Luckily, her kids were not at home,” said neighbor Cathy Deutchman. “She said she grabbed some cash and a painting. She also got the elderly woman who lived upstairs… she said she went through a window and got her out.”
The all-volunteer Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department was dispatched at 2:22 p.m. Fire officials say crews arrived to find signs of an explosion in the basement.
“There was some type of explosion in the basement. Con Edison got an atmospheric gas alarm,” said Fire Chief Chris Colombo. “It was an interior attack on the basement. The second line went to the front door. The guys did a great job stopping it.”
Neighbors describe a chaotic and frightening scene as flames spread.
“I looked out my bedroom window and saw like a sea of red,” said next-door neighbor Marin Markic. “Next thing I know, I see all my neighbors outside crying, screaming… saying, ‘I lost everything.’”
While firefighters were able to stop the flames from fully consuming the house, officials say the home is not currently livable.
Multiple departments responded to the scene, including Croton, Peekskill and Ossining.
Both the tenant and the homeowner are now staying with family. The Red Cross has not been contacted at this time.
