2 people dead after Lewisboro house fire
One individual, Noel Rae, 93, was taken to a medical facility, where he later died from his injuries. A second person was located dead inside the home, and identification is pending further investigation.
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State police have confirmed that two people died after a house fire at 27 Old Shop Road in Lewisboro Thursday afternoon.
One person inside the home, 93-year-old Noel Rae, was taken to a medical facility, where he later died from his injuries. A second person was located dead inside the home and their identity has not been released.
News 12 confirmed that one of victims in the fire was an author of history books.
Three other residents were able to exit the home and were also taken to a local medical facility for evaluation.
The three-alarm blaze broke out around 1 p.m.
According to a spokesperson with Westchester County police, Officer Brett Schlosser was the first on scene. Schlosser works as a School Resource Officer at John Jay High School and Middle School. News 12 was told he saw the smoke and raced to help, but couldn't get inside the home because the smoke and fire were just too much.
Fire officials say heavy smoke and flames were already showing from the house as they arrived, and they had word of several people trapped in different areas of the home.
More than 100 firefighters from different departments were called in, stretching from southern Westchester to Connecticut.
Crews battled the flames from above on extended ladder trucks as well as from inside the house until it looked as though a collapse was possible, and firefighters needed to pull out.
The home is located in a heavily wooded area, and fire officials say they had to dispatch crews to make sure the flames didn't spread to overhanging trees.
Fire officials confirm that at least two firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor injuries and have been released.
Fire officials tell News 12 the house is a total loss and will need to be demolished.
Tony Goncalves, the town supervisor for Lewisboro, sent News 12 the following statement:
"As a friend of the Rae family, my heart goes out to the family. [Thursday’s] house fire was a tragic event, which has devastated our close-knit community. The victims are our neighbors and engaged in the local community. Today we are even more devastated after learning about the loss of life. I am especially saddened by the passing of Noel Rae, an accomplished author who most recently authored 'The Great Stain: Witnessing American Slavery.'
A group of friends and neighbors have banded together to assist the family with all the things they will need assistance with, and I thank the community for reaching out with offers to help. I am very thankful to our first responders and the mutual aid provided by agencies in neighboring municipalities who if not for them, this could have turned into an even greater tragedy."
