Spring Valley Fire: Investigation Will Take Time, Officials Say

POMONA, NY — Investigation of the deadly fire at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley will take time, Rockland County officials said in a Wednesday briefing.

A resident and a firefighter were killed in the blaze, which injured many and hospitalized 13, including a firefighter taken to Westchester Medical Center to be treated for high levels of carbon monoxide in his blood.

"We are still operating on the scene," said Chris Kear, Rockland County's coordinator of fire and emergency services. There are still pockets of fire or embers, which firefighters are finding and eliminating, and crews are also securing the overall structure while the investigation continues, he said.

Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco said his department's fire investigation unit were working with state investigators and local police, fire and building inspectors to find the cause of the fire.

"We don’t have any indications just yet whether it’s a suspicious fire or accidental," he said.

There is no timeframe for the investigation to end, officials said, promising a meticulous process including interviews of residents and staff and review of any video. The investigators began Tuesday to examine every piece of debris, literally pulling the building apart and inspecting it as they did.

"There’s tons of debris there and it really has to be thoroughly looked at piece by piece," Kear said. "Where did it come from? Was it in the area of origin?"

The body of the firefighter who went missing Tuesday after sending a Mayday call while rescuing residents was found at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Recovery teams including divers had searched through the rubble and water-filled basement of the collapsed building for more than 20 hours.

He was identified as Jared Lloyd, 35, though Kear said that formal identification is pending confirmation by the medical examiner. Lloyd had been a member of the Spring Valley Fire Department's Columbian Fire Engine Co. No. 1 for 15 years.

The Evergreen Court Home for Adults was a massive three-story building at 65 Lafayette St. The fire was so intense it melted the siding on apartments across the street, The Journal News reported.

There 113 residents living there, Kear said. The identity of the resident who died has not been released.

Denise Kerr, the facility's director, issued a statement which the Rockland County government posted on Facebook:

This is an unspeakable tragedy at Evergreen Court Home and our hearts and prayers go out to all individuals and families who have been impacted. We join the community in mourning the loss of our resident who passed away and pray for the safety of the missing firefighter.

We are fully cooperating with all state and local authorities in the investigation of this fire and are conducting our own internal investigation as well. Our staff was truly heroic in evacuating residents who were inside the building as the fire spread, and we are forever grateful to the first responders whose actions undoubtedly saved lives. All 112 residents at Evergreen Court Home are accounted for and have been placed in a new home. We are currently in the process of contacting their families. Anyone who wishes to reach us to inquire about a family member can call 973-378-1997 or email info@evergreencourtalp.com.

There are several places to drop off donations of essentials for the displaced residents.