PORT JERVIS, NY – Port Jervis Fire Department was called to a reported garage fire in the city’s Fourth Ward, Thursday afternoon. Deputy Chief Jeffrey Rhoades, who operated command, said he noticed calm black smoke as he left his nearby job to respond. Upon arrival moments later, he immediately placed a second alarm call for assistance.

Rhoades said he saw heavy flames coming from the garage at 130 Ball Street upon arrival. PJFD’s Howard Wheat Engine Co. 4 was already on scene, pulling hose and hooking up to a hydrant. However, with neighboring houses close together and intense heat affecting the area, he called for mutual aid. 

“No matter what community you’re in, it’s always better to have a few extra firefighters that might have to be sent back than not to have enough. You can never be sure how much manpower will arrive in the middle of a Monday through Friday work day,” Rhoades said. 

The extra help was beneficial as five structures were affected. The fire spread quickly garage-to-garage, from the Ball Street garage to another directly behind it on Hammond Street. The intense heat melted the siding on three houses, and flames ignited a large, still-standing tree trunk near the garages.

No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under initial investigation.

Units on scene or on standby included Port Jervis, Westfall, Huguenot, Milford, Sparrowbush, Montague, Middletown, along with Orange and Rockland Utilities and Port Jervis Police Department on scene.

“No matter what community you’re in, it’s always better to have a few extra firefighters that might have to be sent back than not to have enough. You can never be sure how much manpower will arrive in the middle of a Monday through Friday work day,” Rhoades said. 

The extra help was beneficial as five structures were affected. The fire spread quickly garage-to-garage, from the Ball Street garage to another directly behind it on Hammond Street. The intense heat melted the siding on three houses, and flames ignited a large, still-standing tree trunk near the garages.

No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under initial investigation.

Units on scene or on standby included Port Jervis, Westfall, Huguenot, Milford, Sparrowbush, Montague, Middletown, along with Orange and Rockland Utilities and Port Jervis Police Department on scene.