Eleven people were displaced by the June 11 apartment fire in the town of Southeast, and the Red Cross has stepped in to lend a hand.
The Hudson Valley chapter of the American Red Cross organized to render emergency aid to the tenants of the Old Route 6 three-story apartment building, including financial assistance, emotional support, and “comfort kits” containing personal care items.
The financial assistance, provided to eleven adults displaced from seven households, can be used towards shelter, food, clothing and other necessities, a spokesperson from the Red Cross told The Journal News.
“In the coming days,” the spokesperson said. “Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.”
Go to redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to learn more about how to help or donate to local relief efforts.
Related: New York State police say tenant confessed to arson in town of Southeast apartment fire
Firefighters temporarily ran out of water while battling Southeast fire
The Brewster Fire Department was dispatched to reports of a structure fire at 8 Old Route 6 at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, the department said in a statement posted to social media Thursday.
“Brewster Fire chief Steven Miller arrived on the scene within minutes,” the statement reads. “Due to advanced fire conditions upon arrival, a second alarm was transmitted. This brought in firefighters from Putnam to Northern Westchester.
“Brewster firefighters assisted by Carmel firefighters Initiated an aggressive interior attack, extinguishing fire on the entire second and third floors.”
At one point during the battle to knock down the blaze, crews temporarily ran out of water due to a lack of fire hydrants in the vicinity. The fire subsequently spread into the attic of the building.
“Shortly after, a partial collapse of the roof into the top floor caused a subsequent collapse into the second floor,” Brewster Fire Department said. “And firefighters were forced to continue operating from the exterior of the building.”
Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department was requested to the scene by Brewster Fire Department at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release published to social media.
The aftermath of a fire in the town of Southeast as seen Thursday, June 12, 2025. The blaze destroyed a three-story, multi-family building on 8 Old Route 6 Wednesday afternoon.
“Upon arrival company member were put to work assisting with searches and extinguishment, the (chiefs) took up fire ground division positions to assist the Incident Commander,” the release continues. “Tanker 18-4-1 ran water relays with Croton Falls Fire Department, Carmel Fire Dept. NY.”
Also responding were the Lake Carmel Fire Department, Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, New York State Police and the Putnam County Fire Investigation Team, which determined the cause of the fire to be arson.
New York State Police said Brian Cronin, 43, confessed to intentionally setting a fire in his apartment at 8 Old Route 6 on Wednesday. Cronin was subsequently arrested and charged with arson in the second degree, a class B felony, according to a Thursday news release.
Cronin was remanded to Putnam County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Red Cross steps in to aid 11 people displaced by Putnam apartment fire