SPRING VALLEY, NY – The search for a firefighter who went missing during a deadly blaze at a downstate New York nursing home ended early Wednesday.
Fire officials in Rockland County say first responders have recovered the body of the fallen firefighter.
“Early this morning the recovery efforts were successful and the body of a fallen firefighter, a hero for all, was recovered and removed with great solemnity by his fellow brothers and sisters in the fire and emergency services,” Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann wrote in a statement.
The firefighter, who has yet to be formally identified, was first announced missing by officials Tuesday morning after a massive fire destroyed a Spring Valley senior care facility and also took the life of a resident there.
It took more than six hours to get that blaze under control, and even then, firefighters spent most of the day Tuesday battling hot spots among the search for one of their own.
An official briefing is expected to take place later Wednesday where the fallen hero, who “paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to others” will be identified, according to Hoehmann.
Dozens of Spring Valley seniors remain homeless Wednesday morning after the fire ripped through the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in the early hours of Tuesday.
Over 100 firefighters from communities across the tri-state area responded to help battle the seemingly uncontrollable blaze, and rescue around 25 residents trapped inside the senior home.
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