SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Rockland County officials on Thursday announced they were pressing forward with a criminal investigation into a fatal fire at a Spring Valley nursing home last week.
The deadly fire broke out at the at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults on Lafayette Street around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23. More than 100 residents were evacuated safely, but one died at a hospital following the fire.
Firefighter Jared Llyod was also killed when he became trapped inside the facility during the blaze. The entire complex was destroyed.
Last Thursday, officials revealed that the blaze was able to grow so large because the fire department was not alerted by an alarm system, which they say was in “test” mode.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh ensured residents they will get to the bottom of it.
“As district attorney I promise that this investigation will be undertaken without fear or favor,” he said. “It will be conducted thoroughly completely and transparently. This is what the people of Rockland County deserve an elected me to do.”
Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco says the investigation is expected to take several weeks.
“We follow the facts. We follow the evidence. We are not going to rush this investigation to make people happy to get to the conclusion.
We will reach the conclusion based on where the evidence and the facts take us,” he said.
Investigators are still cataloging debris and conducting interviews. They will also scrutinize Spring Valley building inspection records.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed the State Department of Health, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and State Police to assist the Spring Valley Fire and Police Departments and Rockland County Sheriff's Office.
"On behalf of the family of New York, my heart breaks for those who lost loved ones in the fire, and we pray that anyone else involved is safe," Cuomo said. "The State will continue providing whatever support is needed to ensure that happens."
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