Working Structure Fire on 371 Route 17M in the Village of Monroe

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On Wednesday, February 4th, at approximately 6:30AM, the Monroe Fire Dept. was dispatched to a report of black smoke coming from the building across the street from the James Motel (Rt. 17m). Due to the intersection of district lines in the area of the building, the James Motel is considered Monroe Fire District, however the building across the street is considered Harriman Fire District. When calling responding, first responding Chief (Assistant Chief Vini Tankasali) was notified by dispatch that Police Officers were on scene reporting a working structure fire in the 'Curves' building on 17M. Assistant Chief Tankasali immediately notified Orange county Fire Control of location of the incident and to dispatch Harriman FD. Upon arrival, Assistant Chief Tankasali notified units of a confirmed heavy smoke and fire, established command, and continued full response from the Monroe Fire Dept. Upon arrival, Harriman FD Chief Bill Geiler joined Assistant Chief Tankasali at the Command Post and formed a Joint Command for the incident. Monroe FD Chief Jeffrey J. Mahran assumed the role of 'Operations' officer and coordinated Monroe and Harriman firefighters fire attack.

Harriman and Monroe Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Woodbury FD (1 Truck and 1 Rescue), Washingtonville FD (FAST Team), Monroe Police Dept., Monroe EMS, Orange County Fire Investigators, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Harriman Police Dept. South Blooming Grove FD (1 Truck) and Lakeside FD (1 Engine) stood by in Monroe's Station 1 for both Monroe and Harriman. Cornwall FD (1 Truck) and Chester FD (1 Rescue) stood by in Woodbury FD. Monroe Units were back in service by 12PM and Harriman Units remained on scene.