A Mayday call was issued during a Congers house fire that killed three pets when one Congers firefighter got trapped on an upper level of the house. He got out safely.



The fire at 143 Conger Avenue South in Congers was reported around midday. "I believe there was two dogs and a cat," said Congers Fire Department Chief Michael Shields, adding the cause of their deaths was most likely smoke inhalation.

Shields said the homeowners were outside told firefighters when they arrived about the pets inside the house. "We had two guys go in there, search and rescue and we called a Mayday because one of our members got trapped on the second floor," said Shields. "Our assistant chief (Phil Leto) found him and got him out. It was firefighter Nick Krasny."

Shields said the tense situation lasted about three or four minutes until Krasny was found. He was checked out and is reported to be fine. Krasny had gotten lost in the house. Although there was heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage when they arrived, Shields said the house was saved and the fire confined to a small area. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The Congers, Valley Cottage, New City, West Nyack, Haverstraw and West Haverstraw fire departments responded to the house fire.