Multiple injuries in Mount Vernon House Fire, Including 3-year-old child

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A wind-whipped fire ripped through a large house on Elm Street in Mount Vernon early Friday morning, injuring several people, including a 3-year-old child, ABC News 7 reports.

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 4:45 a.m. to find flames shooting out of every window of the multi-family residence. The intense fire, fueled by strong winds, spread to a neighboring house on North Terrace Avenue but was quickly extinguished.

All five residents of the Elm Street home managed to evacuate safely. "We got everyone out of the houses, and while they were fighting that house, this one caught, and that one caught—it was a mess out here," said Felicia Franklin, a neighbor.

Four people were treated for smoke inhalation, with two, including the 3-year-old, transported to Jacobi Hospital. Firefighters faced treacherous conditions, including high winds, freezing temperatures, and icy surfaces.

"It was the wind, it was the weather—it was very challenging," said Deputy Chief Juan Peralta of the Mount Vernon Fire Department. "We had ice, and we had to put salt down to prevent slips and falls. It was very difficult to put this fire out."

One firefighter slipped on ice created by freezing water but suffered only minor injuries and returned to battle the blaze.

The Elm Street structure, which housed four apartments, was completely gutted. Two neighboring homes on North Terrace Avenue sustained water damage. "It's heartbreaking, but I'm happy no one was seriously hurt," said John Joy, the landlord. "The house can be replaced, but families can't."

The Red Cross is assisting 14 displaced residents with temporary housing.

This was the second major fire in Mount Vernon overnight. Just hours earlier, a blaze at 85 Gramatan Avenue left 25 people homeless and sent three to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Firefighters were wrapping up that response when they were called to Elm Street.

Authorities are investigating the cause of both fires.

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