Red Cross Assists Rockland Family Displaced by Fire

The American Red Cross is assisting a Rockland County family left temporarily homeless as a result of a small fire that appears to have been caused by a lit candle this morning.

Red Cross volunteers from Rockland are working with the seven-member family - two adults and five children - following the 9:23 a.m. fire at 62 Main St., Garnerville. No one was injured in the fire.

Rockland County Deputy Fire Coordinator John Kryger said the fire took place in a first floor apartment in a 2 1/2 story building that was home to two families. No one was home in the apartment at the time, and residents of the second-floor apartment were able to safely evacuate the building, Kryger said.

The candle created a fire that damaged a plaster wall. Kryger said West Haverstraw volunteer firefighters were able to put out the fire quickly using hand-held fire extinguishers. Although damage from the fire was limited, Kryger said West Havestraw village inspectors posted a vacate order on the building for a safety-related clean up.

The Red Cross said volunteers are assisting the family from the first-floor apartment to get them temporary shelter and to help with other emergency needs.

Firefighters from West Haverstraw, Havestraw and Stony Point were at the building for about an hour.