Nighttime fire devastates North Salem home

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - A fire that heavily damaged a home on Old School House Road in the North Salem hamlet of Purdys has been determined to be accidental, according to Croton Falls fire Chief Jeffery Daday.

First responders arrived at the scene around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Providing mutual aid were crews from Bedford Hills, South Salem, Goldens Bridge, Katonah, Somers, and Brewster.

The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, but firefighters remained on the scene long after to check for hotspots, Daday said.

The occupants had called for help after smelling smoke outside.

There were no injuries.

The Red Cross was assisting the fire victims and neighbors were also stepping up, Daday said.