Pelham Firefighters Contain House Fire to Bathroom

Pelham firefighters ruled the cause of fire that ignited inside a two-and-a-half story on 261 Eastland Ave. as accidental.

Firefighters received the call for the structure fire at about 8:13 a.m.  Pelham fire Lt. Robert Benkwitt said the fire originated on the second-floor bathroom, where it was contained.

The home was empty when the fire started, according to Benkwitt.

“They had a residential alarm that goes to an ADT-type alarm center,” Benkwitt said. “It was activated by some of the smoke from the fire, which helped alert us faster. That is why we were able to prevent the fire from spreading.”

Firefighters were at the scene for about three hours. Firefighters from Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Pelham Manor assisted at the scene. The Eastchester and Village of Scarsdale fire departments were on standby while Pelham handled the fire scene.

Benkwitt said the home is still habitable, but it is unclear if its residents sought shelter elsewhere Friday afternoon.

A section of Boulevard was cut off so firefighters could control the scene.