Rapidly burning 196-year-old home claims life of Sparrowbush, NY man

SPARROWBUSH, NY – Despite a fast response and stop, a Sparrowbush man tragically lost his life in a rapidly burning end-of-summer house fire at his single-family home on Darraugh Lane.

The 67-year-old owner lived alone in the circa 1830 rural home. He was described by neighbors as a quiet, good neighbor who commuted to and from his job daily.

A neighbor called in the blaze just after midnight after hearing an explosion and going outside to investigate. This neighbor thought the sound could have come from a transformer explosion, which he had heard in the past.

However, once outside he saw the neighbor’s home across the street fully engulfed in flames and immediately called 9-1-1.

Sparrowbush Engine Company Chief Carl Van Horn was among those who arrived within minutes of the call. He said he found the house already engulfed in flames. Hose lines were quickly placed in operation by arriving apparatus and used for what mainly had to be an exterior operation due the heavy fire load. Interior operations had to pulled as portions of the building were quickly deemed unsafe and in various stages of collapse. 

Orange County Fire Investigation Unit and Medical Examiner’s Office were on scene, and transported the recovered victim. 

Fire units remained on scene until approximately 8:30 that morning.