(18 Pictures)
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.

















