House heavily damaged, firefighter injured in Vista blaze

Firefighters from several Westchester and Connecticut departments fought a house fire in Vista on Monday evening.

A house was heavily damaged and a firefighter injured in a Monday evening blaze in Vista. VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO

One firefighter was injured when he fell from the first floor into the basement of the burning home on Elmwood Drive. After his rescue by other firefighters he was treated at a hospital and later released.

The Vista and South Salem fire departments were dispatched at 8:08 p.m. after a report of a smoke coming from the home.

Upon arrival, Vista Chief Jeff Peck observed smoke from the roof. Flames were then seen coming from the rear of the home.“Vista and South Salem firefighters quickly stretched three 1¾-inch hoselines and worked to knock down the main body of fire,” the Vista Fire Department said in a statement. “ Due to the size and complexity of the incident, multiple mutual aid agencies responded to assist at the scene and provide coverage.”

“During fireground operations, one mayday was transmitted after a firefighter fell from the first floor into the basement,” the department said. “The firefighter was visible from the exterior, and crews from Vista and South Salem quickly worked together to remove the firefighter from the basement. The firefighter was placed into the care of EMS, transported to the hospital for evaluation, and later released.”

No one was home at the time of the fire. It was reported by a passerby.The Westchester County Cause and Origin Team responded to the scene, the Vista Fire Department said.

“The incident was reviewed by the appropriate officials, and no further cause and origin details are being released at this time.”

The Vista Volunteer Fire Department thanked fellow firefighters from the South Salem, Pound Ridge, Golden’s Bridge, Ridgefield, Conn., Bedford Hills, New Canaan, Conn., Wilton, Conn. Croton Falls, Georgetown, Conn. and Mount Kisco fire departments, as well as the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, New Canaan EMS, Lewisboro Police Department, Westchester EMS Paramedics, Battalion 13 Chief Jason Blauvelt, 60 Control/Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, Westchester County Cause & Origin-Zone 5, the Lewisboro Building Department and New York State Electric and Gas for their assistance.“We are grateful for the professionalism, teamwork, and support shown by everyone involved,” the Vista Fire Department said.