Firefighters Face Wind, Bitter Cold Battling Fires Across Tri-State Area
YONKERS, NY.Y (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Bitter cold and gusty winds made it difficult for firefighters battling several fires that broke out Sunday and overnight across the Tri-State area.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning Sunday due to a risk of fires because of dry conditions and high winds.
In Yonkers, a family of four, including two children, were displaced after a fire tore through a home overnight.
"The fire started somewhere in the rear of the building and it was really impacted by a heavy wind condition that drove the fire really quickly," Deputy Fire Chief John Flynn said.
Despite putting down salt to help with icy conditions, three firefighters were hurt after slipping on the street.
On Long Island, a fire at a Baywood industrial park was stoked by strong gusts and fueled by debris dumped after Superstorm Sandy.
Firefighters from 37 departments battled the flames.
In Elizabeth, N.J., a fire destroyed a home with 25 to 35 mile per hour winds pushing the flames to a house next door.
At Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge Township, N.J., crews tackled a brush fire burning deep in the woods, forcing nearby residents to evacuate.
The windy conditions also hampered firefighters battling a blaze Sunday at West 138th Street and Riverside Drive in Hamilton Heights.
The winds fanned the flames which quickly spread.
The causes of all the fires are under investigation.
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