Spring Valley Fire: Relocating More Than 100 Residents

SPRING VALLEY, NY — As a massive blaze consumed much of the Evergreen Court Home for Adults, the monumental job of relocating more than 100 residents evacuated by police and firefighters started almost immediately.

SEE: Spring Valley Fire: 1 Dead, 11 Hurt, Firefighter Missing

Buses provided by the Chaverim of Rockland transported elderly evacuees who were not in need of urgent medical care to the nearby New Golden Acres assisted living facility.

"Everyone was in good spirits, healthy and most important, alive," New Golden Acres spokesperson Ian Rose told Patch on Tuesday morning. "I'm actually calling family members right now to tell them their loved ones are safe. I'm talking to a lot of very relieved families today."

The rescued residents have since been relocated from the temporary staging area, in some cases to stay with family members or else have found placement at other long-term care facilities in the region, he said.

One resident died, a Spring Valley firefighter is missing, and nine residents and two injured firefighters were taken to local hospitals, according to Rockland officials.

Meanwhile, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the State Department of Health, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Service and the State Police to assist Spring Valley and Rockland county officials following the deadly overnight fire.

"The overnight fire at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley in Rockland County is deeply alarming and earlier this morning I directed state agencies to assist in the emergency response," Cuomo said in a statement Tuesday. “Department of Health staff are on the site to ensure the safe, appropriate transfer of more than 100 residents to other facilities and facilitate proper notification of families. DOH is in contact with multiple providers who have come forward with offers to accept residents and provide additional support as needed. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control has dispatched State Fire Investigators to assist in the investigation of the cause and origin of the fire and State Police are on site to support evidence collection.”

State Assemblyman Elijian Reichlin-Melnick is collecting supplies for displaced residents. Donations can be dropped off at his offices located on 20 S. Main St. in New City or at 2 Church St. in Ossining.

The Chaverim of Rockland is also providing emergency material support for the displaced fire victims.

Fire officials said it was too early to speculate on a possible cause of the deadly fire, which started at 1 a.m. Rockland County Executive Ed Day said the old, long, 3-story, frame building itself was a type conducive to the rapid spread of fire.

There are initial reports that the structure was previously occupied by a hotel.

According to a database maintained by the New York State Department of Health, Evergreen Court Home for Adults received a total of 27 violations resulting from six inspections dating back to October of 2016. Most of the violations involved record-keeping and food service. Two involved fire safety compliance and construction work at the 200-bed facility. A February 2019 inspection resulted in no violations being reported.

"On behalf of the family of New York, my heart breaks for those who lost loved ones in the fire, and we pray that anyone else involved is safe," Cuomo said. “The State will continue providing whatever support is needed to ensure that happens."