UPDATE: 2 cops were injured in deadly Cross River house fire

STAFF REPORTS

Two Lewisboro police officers suffered injuries in Friday’s fatal house fire in Cross River, the department said Saturday night. One of the officers remains in the Burn Center Intensive Care Unit at Westchester Medical Center.

The other officer was treated and released from the hospital. Both were injured in the house fire that killed two people at 27 Old Shop Road on Friday afternoon. Police and firefighters were responding to a call that came in about 12:40 p.m. reporting a structure fire with possible entrapment.

“Lewisboro Police officers responded to reports of a house fire with initial information indicating that two individuals were trapped inside,” police said in a statement Saturday night. “Two officers entered the residence to assist those in danger and were immediately met with a flashover condition. Both sustained injuries and were transported to Westchester Medical Center. One officer was treated and released later that evening, while the second remains in the Burn Center Intensive Care Unit.”

A flashover is what firefighters call the full ignition of all the combustible materials in the room simultaneously.

Two people were killed in the blaze. One, Noel M. Rae, 93, was rushed to an area hospital where he died of his injuries, state police said. The second was found dead inside the house. An identity has not been released. 

“Three additional residents were able to exit the home and were transported to a local medical facility for evaluation,” state police said after the incident. 

Lewisboro police said both of its officers are 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 personal that responded, as well as our officers and their families,” it continued. “We extend our sincere appreciation to Supervisor Goncalves and Councilman Sklarin for their immediate and continued support of our injured officers.”

The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire remains ongoing, state police said. 

Old Shop Road runs just south of Route 35, a busy state road. Numerous agencies were at the scent. State police said they were assisted by the Lewisboro Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department, Bedford police, the North Salem Fire Department, South Salem Fire Department, Bedford Hills Fire Department, Westchester County EMS, the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the Westchester County Fire Investigation Unit. Ridgefield, Conn., firefighters also assisted at the scene.