SHELLY NG and ALLISON KADEN
WPIX.com
Reprinted with Permission
YONKERS (WPIX) - One firefighter is dead after battling a violent three-alarm fire that tore through a three-story home in Westchester early Friday morning.
Funeral Information Visitation is Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 6 p.m.,
Monday. Oct. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
McGrath & Sons
20 Cedar Street, Bronxville.
Funeral is Tuesday, Oct. 6, 9:45 a.m.
St. Margaret's Church
6000 Riverdale Ave., Bronx
The fast-moving blaze at 148 Waverly Street in Yonkers was reported at 1 a.m. and was declared under control within the hour at 1:57 a.m.
During a 6 a.m. press conference, Yonkers Fire Commissioner Anthony H. Pagano, who was joined by Mayor Phil Amicone, confirmed the death of firefighter Patrick Joyce, 39, a 16-year veteran with the department.
Joyce was initially listed in serious condition at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Yonkers before he died from his injuries. He leaves behind a wife and children.
Two other firefighters - Lt. Joseph Murray, 54, and firefighter William Kanich, 38 - were transported to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and are listed in critical condition.
Two residents were treated on the scene for smoke inhilation.
The three firefighters were investigating reports that there were people trapped on the third floor. No one was trapped on the upper level of the home.
The flames were intense, and it is unclear if the firefighters fell or jumped while trying to exit the third floor.
"We do believe that it was super heated up there," said Pagano, "And also as you can see behind me, this fire moved within seconds."
Reports also say two off-duty firefighters were travelling to the Yonkers home at around 5 a.m. to assist with the blaze. They were mere blocks away on Walnut Street when their car crashed head-on with another vehicle. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
Fire officials have deemed the blaze suspicious after determing the fire began in multiple locations on the first floor.
Local residents told PIX News there are five family units in the damaged home.
First of all a brother FF is dead... why are we arguing? and NYS doesnt have there heads up there ass... If u were on scene and saw what actually happened and knew what was going on you wouldnt be saying the same thing so if u werent on scene u dont have the right to talk shit about another dept that lost a brother FF RIP Brother