Mamaroneck's town and village fire departments helped battle a house fire in Harrison Wednesday night.
Also assisting were Rye and Port Chester fire departments. Two ladders were raised above the home to contain the fire, which gutted the attic of the home on Puritan Woods Road, causing major damage. The homeowners were inside at the time of the fire, but were able to escape by the time authorities arrived.
Harrison Fire responded to the call at about 9:30 p.m., battling the blaze for over two hours before finally putting it out. No one was injured, including a dog that two firemen were able to rescue.
"There was heavy smoke and fire upon arrival," said Harrison Fire Chief Dino Del Signore.
Firemen initially entered the home, but were forced to retreat after a roof in the back of the house collapsed.
"As soon as the roof collapsed we got everybody out, regrouped, and started an exterior operation," said Del Signore. "Once we got it knocked out we sent the guys back inside."
The firemen inside the home were on the opposite side of the residence and were not in immediate danger when the roof fell, according to Del Signore. Firemen also cut another part of the roof to gain access to the fire.
The home, at 7 Puritan Woods Road, is a two-story, one-family, residence. Del Signore called the blaze a two-alarm fire.
Although there is significant water and smoke damage in the home, it is not uninhabitable, but will require major repairs, according to Del Signore.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The value of journalism relates to the way it educates it readers.
Thank you for reading, & thank you for the feedback; we've tweaked the article to make it more cohesive.
Good journalism is essential to a democratic society and as such, "news" reporting has high responsibilities. What and how the news is reported has consequences. Elements of style generally permit the "hed" to be attention grabbing, but should reasonably relate the the main theme of the article. The "lead" is generally expected to be a concise summary of the key facts of the story. Consider that the Patch had virtually the same story, other than differences in "hed" and "lead", in its Larchmont/Mamaroneck and Harrison editions. Perhaps OK for the "hed" in some cases", much less so for the "lead". Consider also that the "Patch" reported four local FDs - Harrison, Port Chester, VOM and TOM - responded. This article told the story of a fire in Harrison. Local newsworthy yes. A story of how local FDs work together, or don't, would certainly be newsworthy as well - let's see that, it was not this article. Jefferson argued for the press even over government if forced to choose. The Patch can choose whether to accept the challenge. Good luck to all.
I frankly could careless abou the hed. It was perfectly fine. I read this article when it got published (since I live near Harrison) and didn't think twice about its structure. Perhaps you should listen to our friend Jefferson who suggested be polite to all, but intimate with few. RRW p.s. It's not "lead" it's "lede." Sheesh.
Sorry, but in the context where used, it has been argued that both "lead" and "lede" are equivalent. IMHO, you are correct that there are more critical stories to be reported. For example, an "investigative" report on "how local FDs work together, or don't, would certainly be newsworthy".