Community rallies around Carmel PD officer who lost home to fire 

The community is rallying around a Carmel police officer and his family after a fire destroyed their home earlier this week. 

The Carmel Fire Department was dispatched to a call for a residential structure fire on DeLuca Lane on Friday night around 9:15 p.m. 

Additional mutual aid called in from the Mahopac, Lake Carmel, Croton Falls, Brewster and Yorktown Heights (which responded as the Fire Assist and Search Team) fire departments. 

Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann said the officer, who has been with the force since 2022 after coming from the White Plains Police Department, wishes to remain anonymous at this time. 

The chief said that though no injuries were reported, the home is unlivable, with significant damage to the roof. He said the cause of the blaze was probed by the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services’ investigative team. 

“Apparently, it started in the chimney. It was a freak accident,” Hoffmann said. “I was there the night of the fire and [the officer] couldn’t believe it; he had just had it cleaned. He is a police officer and understands what can happen, and he was cognizant of having to have the chimney maintained.” 

Hoffmann said the family, which includes two young children, will be able to stay with nearby relatives. He said a group of friends went to the home to gather as many salvageable items as possible and move them to a storage facility before the snowstorm hit Sunday. 

A GoFundMe page has been established to raise funds to support the family in the coming weeks. As of this writing, more than $32,000 of the $55,000 goal has been raised. To contribute, go to gofundme.com and type “Carmel resident” in the search bar. Beneath the search bar, the first fundraiser listed on the left is titled “Structure fire at police officer’s home.” Click on the photo. 

Marianne Chaluisan, chair of the Back the Blue organization, along with Councilman Frank Lombardi, has put together a fundraiser slated for Friends Waterfront Bar & Grill at 156 E. Lake Blvd. on Saturday, Jan. 31, from noon to 2 p.m. 

Chaluisan, who lost her home to a fire several years ago, said they will be collecting gift cards for the family. She said cash and checks will also be accepted. 

“When I had my fire, the gift cards came in very handy,” Chaluisan said. “That way they can buy what they need. They know what the kids like and what the right sizes are.”