Firefighter missing, one resident dead after fire at NY residential senior center

A firefighter is missing and one resident is dead after a fire broke out in the middle of the night at a residential senior center in Spring Valley, N.Y.

Evergreen Court For Adults was engulfed in flames early Tuesday morning with no clear indication of how the fire began, local affiliate ABC 7 reported.

Chris Kear, director of fire and emergency services in Rockland County, a suburb of New York City, said teams are looking for the missing firefighter, who is believed to have been on the third floor of the building attempting to rescue residents during the blaze.

“We have numerous teams looking through the rubble,” Kear said, according to ABC 7.

Breaking news in Spring Valley, NY: A long-term care facility erupted in flames overnight. This is a massive, massive fire. We are working to learn the extent of the injuries. #abc7NY https://t.co/yQDitp7II5 pic.twitter.com/WBeZL4Osik

— Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) March 23, 2021

The missing firefighter was one of the first at the scene. Two other firefighters were injured Tuesday, with one suffering a heart attack.

Kear said firefighters saved 20 to 25 residents in the building where about 100 to 125 people live, according to CNN. Many residents have been taken to nearby facilities.

One resident was pronounced dead at the hospital and about 20 others are being treated for injuries. There will be a search for more victims after the fire is extinguished, Kear said early on Tuesday morning.

Authorities are still working to confirm the location of all residents, but Kear said they “believe most are accounted for,” ABC 7 reported.

Kear said an investigation will be done by Rockland County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation Unit, state firefighters, and state and local police.

The Hill has reached out to Rockland County for comment.