YONKERS, NY - Flames tore through a large structure attached to a church early on December 12, 2023, but firefighters were able to keep the fire from extending to the church sanctuary.

YFD units were dispatched to 20 Buckingham Rd. shortly after 3:00 A.M. A second-alarm was transmitted on arrival as flames were venting out of windows on most of the second-floor of the approximately 60'x125' two-story brick building used partially as a day care center, but was reported mostly vacant. A third-alarm was sounded within five minutes as the second-floor became fully involved and fire was breaking through the roof. Firefighters worked to protect the church sanctuary, which was about 30-feet away and connected by a one-story walkway. By about 3:30 A.M., most of the roof had collapsed in and part of the exterior wall on the “B” side had come down.

Four elevated master streams, as well as several ground monitors worked to knock down the heavy fire, and continued for several hours. The fire was able to be placed under control at about 7:00 A.M., with no damage reported to the church sanctuary. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation, but investigators suspect renovation on part of the building may be responsible.