Rockland firefighters return to scene of fire months later with gifts
Members of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters Association visited with management at the Highlands-Nanuet apartment complex to find out how the families are faring following the Sept. 3 fire that destroyed a building, and to provide a pick-me-up.
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Some Rockland County firefighters returned to the scene of a fire that happened three months ago to try to make the holidays a little brighter and a little less stressful for the families who were displaced.
Members of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters Association visited with management at the Highlands-Nanuet apartment complex to find out how the families are faring following the Sept. 3 fire that destroyed a building, and to provide a pick-me-up.
Officials said a gas leak may have fed the three-alarm fire that engulfed the building in minutes.
Seven families were displaced.
The firefighters left gifts for them.
Each household will receive up to $400 in gift cards, which a local business owner helped pay for.
"She'll give them out, two to a family," RCVFA President Frank Voce said as he handed over a stack of gift cards. "They're from Walmart, and tell them we're supporting them from the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters Association."
Property manager Michelle Chacon said the clothing and food donations that filled up the complex's lobby immediately following the fire helped some families significantly.
The gift cards, though, will allow all the families to buy exactly what food they need and the correct-size clothing.
"That'll be perfect for the families to help get gifts at this time of year for their families and loved ones," Chacon said. "We couldn't have done it without all the support of everybody."
Chacon said the staff is committed to helping the families get back on their feet, whether or not they still live in the complex.
She said four of the families relocated to other units in the complex, and three chose to live elsewhere, away from the wreckage of their old homes.
