Overheated Laptop Blamed For Fast-Moving Port Chester House Fire

PORT CHESTER, NY — The dramatic Gilbert Place house fire on Saturday was caused by a laptop computer left charging on a bed, the Port Chester fire chief reports.

Port Chester police, who were the first to arrive at the scene, found the bedroom already in flames. Cops were able to make sure everyone living in the house was accounted for and safely evacuated.

Fire officials say the blaze quickly spread to consume the bedroom. Fire engines arrived in time to hold the fire to the first floor of the multi-family house. All available Port Chester fire companies were called to the scene with additional help from the Town Of Mamaroneck Fast Team and Rye Brook Ladder 30.

While Port Chester’s entire volunteer fire force was trying to contain the house fire, Purchase, Village Of Mamaroneck and West Harrison Fire Departments provided fire coverage for the village. The neighboring fire departments answered a call to a rollover motor vehicle accident on Boston Post Road in town while the Port Chester firefighting force was otherwise engaged.

Police officials say the weekend fire should be something of a cautionary tale for other homeowners.

“It appears that a laptop was left unattended, charging on the bed for a few hours which caused the bed to catch on fire,” a PCPD spokesperson wrote in a statement revealing the cause of the fire. “With the increase of on-line meetings and classes, please be careful where these electronic devices are left to charge."

On Monday, Port Chester Mayor Luis Marino said plans are in the works for a fundraiser to benefit the families displaced by the fire. Details of the community efforts to support those neighbors are expected to be announced later in the day.