Fire breaks out at Freidwald Nursing Home in New Hempstead; residents evacuated, trapped patient rescued

By Yisroel R.

A fire broke out early Friday morning at the Freidwald Nursing Home in New Hempstead, prompting a large emergency response and the evacuation of multiple elderly residents from the building.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the facility at approximately 1:00 a.m. following reports of a room fire on the top floor of the nursing home. Upon arrival, firefighters were informed that one patient was trapped inside the burning room. Members of the Hillcrest Fire Department, with assistance from New Square Emergency Services, were able to reach the patient and successfully rescue them. The patient was transported to a local hospital with burn-related injuries, officials said.

During the incident, the building’s sprinkler system activated and later burst, causing significant water damage in parts of the facility. As a precaution, numerous residents were evacuated from their rooms and relocated to a safe area within the nursing home while crews worked to contain the fire and assess conditions.

Staff members at the Freidwald Nursing Home played a critical role in the early moments of the incident. According to officials, nurses acted swiftly before first responders arrived, evacuating dozens of residents from both the fire floor and the floor below. Some residents were moved to safety on mattresses and relocated to the dining area, actions that significantly limited injuries. Aside from the patient injured in the room where the fire originated, no additional serious injuries were reported.

Following the fire, Chaverim of Rockland responded to assist with cleanup efforts inside the facility. Volunteers arrived with pumps, wet and dry vacuums, and other equipment to help remove standing water and mitigate further damage caused by the sprinkler system.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Hillcrest Fire Department, Ramapo Police, Hatzoloh EMS, Spring Hill EMS, and Rockland Paramedics. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.