Bales of crushed metal on a barge caught fire at the recycling facility at 4251 Boston Post Road during the afternoon on October 27th. This prompted a response from firefighters, including engines from the Pelham Manor Fire Department and the New York City Fire Department. Both PMFD and FDNY immediately responded to calls of a fire, as the area is in the response zones of both departments.
“Units arrived and encountered heavy fire on the barge,” according to a post on the FDNY Instagram account. “Members used tower ladders, marine units and handlines to extinguish the fire, which was placed under control in about two hours.”
A cloud of thick, black smoke was visible from miles away throughout the afternoon, including by students at Pelham Memorial High School, who saw a glimpse of the smoke at the end of the day. Students and others also reported seeing helicopters as they came home that afternoon. Traffic delays ensued for vehicles driving around the scene of the fire.
“Two separate water supplies were established,” Chief Michael Greco of the PMFD wrote in an email. “Units from PMFD deployed their deck gun and FDNY deployed a 2.5-inch handline to start fighting the fire while units set up tower ladders. One tower ladder was set up and put into operation; then PMFD shut down their deck gun and supplied another FDNY tower ladder. Additionally, two fire boats from FDNY also responded to help extinguish the fire.”
All Pelham Manor units were back in service at 4:30 PM, according to Greco.