An overnight fire destroyed an Irving Avenue building that contained a market and an attached residential structure, according to Port Chester firefighters.
More than 100 firefighters from Port Chester and neighboring communities fought the 1 a.m. blaze at 167 Irving Ave., and Port Chester police were able to evacuate about a dozen people living there.
Port Chester Fire Chief Kevin McFadden said the residents of the building escaped safely. He said several firefighters sustained minor bumps and bruises battled the stubborn fire until about 5 a.m., but that none were seriously injured.
Representatives of the American Red Cross met with residents of the building at Port Chester police headquarters to assist them. Red Cross spokeswoman Carolyn Sherwin said the organization has provided assistance to two families and will provide assistance to others from the fire as they are located.
McFadden said that as firefighters arrived there was heavy smoke from the fire and they had to cut open a security gate to gain entrance to the La Rosalina Market. He said heavy fire tore through the commercial section of the structure and then the residential portion.
The fire, McFadden said, tore away support timbers and led to the collapse of the roof of the store. Police said the store had closed at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night.
McFadden said the fire appears to have been accidental and Port Chester code enforcement officers were inspecting the structure. Police said it appears the fire started in a ceiling in the market.
In addition to firefighters from Port Chester, firefighters from the town and village of Mamaroneck help fight the blaze, with firefighters from West Harrison, Harrison and Purchase on standby.
Police said that when village officiers arrived, residents of the building had evacuated and a police officer and a police lieutenant went inside the building to confirm that no one else was insided.
The Red Cross this morning worked with two families displaced by the fire, involving a total of four adults, two teenagers and two children. Sherwin said the Red Cross provided financial assistance so the fire victims could obtain food, clothing and lodging, and the Red Cross is assisting them in finding longterm housing.
