Five Killed in Spring Valley Fire

The Village of Spring Valley is in mourning following an early morning fire on Saturday that killed five people, including two children.

Firefighters received initial reports of a fire at a two-family home at 118 Lake St. at 4:03 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters and police officers heard reports of people trapped in the building, but poor conditions prevented them from going inside, according to Christopher Kear, Director of Fire and Emergency Services for Rockland County.

Three of the victims were found on the second floor, while the other two were found on the first floor, likely due to parts of the second-floor collapsing, Kear said at a press conference Saturday morning.

The fire was declared under control at 4:40 a.m. An additional five people were injured and taken to local hospitals. A firefighter also suffered a minor injury. One of the injured people jumped out a second-floor window, according to Kear.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Rockland County Office of Fire & Emergency Services and the Spring Valley Police Department. The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

Ed Markanus, the director of the County Office of Building & Codes, said Saturday that the village had discovered 14 code violations when it conducted a title search of the property in Sept. 2021. The violations had been corrected following a return visit that November.  No code violations were found during a title search last June.

Spring Valley officials urged residents to remain calm and united while officials conduct their investigation.

“The Spring Valley community is known for its resilience and strength, and we are confident that we will overcome this tragic incident together,” Reginald Anderson, Confidential Assistant to Mayor Alan Simon said.

The fire occurred down the street from the fatal fire at the Evergreen Home for Adults that killed two people, including Spring Valley Firefighter Jared Lloyd.

“Having been at both scenes, it is a very eerie feeling,” County Executive Ed Day said.

Mutual aid was provided by fire departments throughout the county including the Hillcrest Fire Company, Monsey Fire Department, South Spring Valley Fire Department, Nanuet Fire Department, Thiells Fire Department, Pearl River Fire Department and New City Fire Department.

– Sam Barron