Eight families displaced after devastating condo fire in Tuxedo
Building condemned after second-alarm blaze destroys eight units; residents escaped in the middle of the night as firefighters worked to keep flames from spreading.
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Eight families are displaced and a condominium building has been condemned after a devastating fire ripped through a Parkview Drive complex in Tuxedo early Monday morning.
The fire started around 2:47 a.m., forcing Tuxedo Heights residents to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs as flames ripped through the building.
When News 12 arrived at the complex later Monday morning, the damage was extensive. The roof had partially collapsed, windows were blown out and charred debris could be seen scattered around the property. Inside one entrance, walls and ceilings in the stairwell had collapsed.
Property management told News 12 that eight condominium units were destroyed, displacing eight families.
"This is terribly devastating," said building superintendent Joseph Vespa.
Vespa said residents were forced to flee with little warning, leaving behind most of their belongings.
"I can't imagine what they're going through, having to leave here in only their pajamas and flip-flops," he said.
Some pets remain unaccounted for and may have died in the fire.
Neighbor Caleb Nunez said he and his family evacuated after hearing popping and crackling sounds outside.
"It was huge at one point. We were worried it would spread to the rest of the buildings," Nunez said.
Firefighters were able to stop the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings, but Vespa said the damage inside the condemned structure is catastrophic.
"Whatever the fire didn't destroy, the water from the firefighters did," he said. "The roof is gone. All the windows. I would imagine it's a total loss."
Despite the destruction, no residents or firefighters were injured, according to fire officials.
"We are just happy everyone escaped with their life. Really," Vespa said.
Firefighters from numerous departments across Orange County, Rockland County and neighboring communities responded to assist. One mutual aid department reported water supply issues while crews battled the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
"Let's hope everyone can band together as a community and accept it with stride," Vespa said.
