Two dead, multiple injuries in Cross River House Fire

The interior of the house was seriously charred.

A firefighter surveys the scene as flames and smoke pour out of the roof.

By JEFF MORRIS and THANE GRAUEL 

Two people died and at least one police officer received serious burns as a result of a devastating fire at a Cross River home on Thursday, April 16.

Noel M. Rae, 93, was rushed to an area hospital where he died of his injuries.

A second person was found dead inside the house, state police said. An identity and the possible cause has not been released. 

The tragedy was Lewisboro’s first fatal fire in more than 70 years. It has left a family displaced and in mourning, and community members working quietly to help them replace clothing and more.

A column of smoke, then an explosive scene

Firefighters and police responded to 27 Old Shop Road for a report that came in at 12:40 p.m. of a structure fire with possible entrapment.

First Assistant Chief Michael Davison of the South Salem Fire Department said responders reported to county dispatch they could see a column of smoke as they headed down Route 35.

The intensity of the blaze hampered rescue efforts of emergency workers arriving at the scene. The rapid ignition of highly heated materials and gases caused an explosion, seriously injuring some responders.

The Vista Fire Department reported that it was dual dispatched with the South Salem Fire Department, and that Vista firefighter Philip Wanderman was among the first on scene, as he was already in close proximity at the time of dispatch. He immediately assisted though still in civilian clothing. 

“His actions under extremely dangerous conditions are commendable, and we proudly recognize his dedication and courage,” said the report.

Upon their arrival, Westchester County Police Officer Brett Schlosser, Lewisboro Police Sgt. Andrew Llewellyn and South Salem firefighters attempted initial emergency searches within the front entrance and basement. In an attempt to free people trapped inside, they experienced what was called a “smoke explosion.” Davison said that occurs when there is a mixture of smoke and air within a flammable range. 

The explosion occurred while two Lewisboro police officers and a South Salem fire captain were directly in front of the building, resulting in varying burn injuries.

“Two officers entered the residence to assist those in danger and were immediately met with a flashover condition,” Lewisboro police reported. 

“Both sustained injuries and were transported to Westchester Medical Center. One officer was treated and released later that evening.” 

The second remained in the Burn Center intensive care unit almost a week.

According to Davison, South Salem Capt. Avery Scott, although also injured in the flashover, continued to command the scene and called for additional resources on a second alarm and then third alarm, bringing multiple mutual aid agencies to assist. He was subsequently relieved by others.

Dean W. Pappas of the Katonah Fire Department noted it was the hottest day of the week, and said the fire conditions, coupled with the hot weather, led to a second and third alarm being dispatched, bringing fire and EMS crews from as far north as Peekskill, as far east as Stamford, Conn., and as far south as Scarsdale.

Davison said South Salem firefighters and mutual aid members performed vent-enter-search operations on the second floor. Pappas said a Katonah crew, along with South Salem, climbed a ground ladder and entered a second floor window, where they located a victim in bed. 

The crew then passed Rae, one of the victims, out the window to other firefighters and EMS personnel, who immediately began rendering aid. 

State police said that on their arrival, “officers and the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Somers were advised that two individuals were located within the residence. Three additional residents were able to exit the home and were transported to a local medical facility for evaluation.”

Old Shop Road has a collection of older homes. It runs off Route 35, a busy state road that was closed to provide emergency responders access to the scene. That resulted in detours last Thursday afternoon and into the evening, including rerouting of school buses. Several local businesses ran tabs or offered services to emergency personnel who responded.

Concern, gratitude for responders

Lewisboro Supervisor Tony Gonçalves updated the status of the hospitalized police officer on Wednesday. 

“I am pleased to share that the second officer was discharged from the Burn Center intensive care unit this afternoon,” he said. “He exited the hospital surrounded by the applause and cheers of his fellow first responders, colleagues and local elected officials. He has our full support, gratitude, and best wishes as he continues his recovery and healing process.”

Gonçalves extended “our sincere appreciation to all first responders and medical professionals involved for their dedication and professionalism.”

The original Lewisboro Police statement said both of its officers were expected to recover.

“Their courageous actions exemplify the highest standards of our profession and reflect an unwavering commitment to protecting life,” the statement said. “Our thoughts are with the victims, the family involved, the emergency personnel that responded, as well as our officers and their families,” it continued. “We extend our sincere appreciation to Supervisor Gonçalves and Councilman Sklarin for their immediate and continued support of our injured officers.”

The victims, investigation

One of those killed, Rae, was a historian and author whose most recent book, “The Great Stain,” was released in 2018. He presented a reading from that book at the Lewisboro Library.

Two of the residents who escaped the fire were his wife, Linda, and daughter, Christina. They are well known in the Lewisboro community: Linda is co-chair of the town’s housing committee, and Christina is a constituent services liaison in the office of State Assemblymember Chris Burdick and a longtime assistant to Bedford Town Historian John Stockbridge.

The home, built in 1930, appeared to be a total loss, though exterior walls were still standing. 

State police said Wednesday the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is ongoing.

Response from three counties 

In total, according to Davison, 81 fire units, 35 EMS units and 10 support agencies from across Westchester, Putnam, and Western Connecticut — even including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit — responded to provide aid and to cover the South Salem Fire District and other northern Westchester firehouses, with EMS units transporting victims and providing rehabilitation to members operating at the scene. 

The Ridgefield, Conn., Fire Department, which reported it was among the first on the scene, had multiple units respond.

Lewisboro Town Historian Maureen Koehl said the last fire fatality in town of which she is aware was in 1953, when Edna Vogel, a rug maker, did not survive a fire in her house, the old one-room schoolhouse behind the Salem Market. That fire occurred 73 years ago nearly to the day, on April 18.