PORT JERVIS, NY -- Multiple calls to Orange County, New York’s 9-1-1 center early afternoon on March 28, 2025 brought a rapid response from Port Jervis Fire Department and mutual aid units to aggressively fight and contain a blaze in two-story, two-family residential structure in Port Jervis. Residents of the burning 61 East Main Street structure, had quickly evacuated the house, taking multiple small dogs with them to safety. No injuries were reported.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from an outside area of the home where garbage receptacles were stored. Responders immediately undertook an aggressive interior and exterior attack to contain and extinguish the blaze, which had rapidly spread up the outside of the house and into the second story and attic areas.

Port Jervis Fire Department Deputy Chief James Rohner, Sr., who was among the first to arrive within minutes to the scene, noted the fire was stubborn and labor-intensive to extinguish. Upon his arrival, Rohner identified heavy flames as coming from a left front corner of the building, and areas where residential garbage containers were located.

Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden, himself also a firefighter, was among others who arrived within minutes on scene. Worden, and other police and fire investigators, confirmed the pinpointed location of the fire's origin to be that front outside corner of the house.

“We believe the fire accidentally started in a garbage can and spread to the house,” Worden said.

Displaced residents, stating that they had no place to stay, were assisted by Red Cross workers who have confirmed that they helped with lodging and plan to remain in contact and assistance for the tenants.

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