A Message from JR:

We start with the most important thing: we didn’t lose anyone. Thanks to the immediate response from our Fire Department and all the other local firehouses that responded, they kept yesterday from being a very different kind of day.

We did have some injuries, and our thoughts are with one of our brave firefighters who was admitted to the hospital, but it could have been much worse. Thank God it wasn’t.

That said, it was still an enormously difficult day. About a dozen families lost many of their belongings and were displaced from their homes—likely for an extended period. Our hearts go out to them. The Village has secured hotel rooms in Nyack for them for the next two days, until the Red Cross and County Department of Social Services can help secure longer-term housing while work on their homes begins.

We Also Remember the Gedney Fire

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our concern for the residents affected by the Gedney fire, which also displaced several families. On any other day, that would have been front-page news.

Although the Nyack Plaza fire consumed much of our attention yesterday, we did not forget the Gedney residents. The Red Cross was there to support them and will continue providing services as needed. And if any of them need help, they should feel free to reach out to me directly.

How You Can Help

As a community, we’re going to do everything we can to support our neighbors. Several organizations have already created ways for you to get involved:

🟣 Nyack NAACP GoFundMe

Nicole Hines and the Nyack NAACP have launched a GoFundMe to help families with emergency housing, relocation, and essentials like clothing and toiletries.
➡️ GoFundMe Link

🟢 The Nyack Center Collection Drive

Kim Cross and the Nyack Center are collecting gift cards and hygiene items. You can also donate directly to their relief efforts.
➡️ Nyack Center Donation Page

🔵 United Way

Stephen Papas and United Way have set up a recovery fund. You can donate online or call 845-358-8929 to contribute clothing, toiletries, or other essentials.
➡️ United Way Donation Page

Our Deepest Thanks

We are immensely grateful to all who made a difference yesterday. Please forgive any omissions—if I missed you, let me know via DM or in the comments so we can give proper thanks.

🔥 Firefighters

Thank you to all of our Nyack Fire Department companies and the 17 volunteer fire departments who responded:
Haverstraw, Hillcrest, Monsey, Nanuet, Nyack, Orangetown, Pearl River, Piermont, Sloatsburg, Sparkill, Tappan, Valley Cottage, West Haverstraw, West Nyack, Thiells, Tarrytown.
Special thanks to Foster Bass for compiling the list. The turnout was staggering and inspiring.

🚓 First Responders

Thank you to the Orangetown Police Department and EMS volunteers from the Nyack Community Ambulance Corps for their quick and compassionate response. If other first responders were there, please let me know so we can thank them too.

✊ Nicole Hines & Bill Batson (NAACP)

Nicole and Bill worked tirelessly on-site organizing and identifying displaced residents. Nicole especially was a whirlwind of action, helping us compile full contact info within hours so that we could quickly mobilize support.

🏫 Kim Cross & The Nyack Center

Kim and her team immediately pulled together dinner for the families, collected donations, and ensured urgent needs were met.

🛏️ Red Cross & Dept. of Social Services

Thank you to the local Red Cross team for arriving within an hour and helping develop a relief plan. Though we didn’t need to set up a shelter, their readiness was invaluable. We also appreciate the Social Services team for helping secure longer-term housing.

🧡 Community Organizations

We thank all the service groups who reached out, including (but not limited to):

• Diane Serratore and People to People

• Stephen Papas and United Way

• Chrissie Bertone and the St. Ann’s Food Cupboard

🏛️ Elected Officials

Thank you to:

• County Executive Ed Day and Deputy CE Mike Hoblin

• Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny

• County Legislator Beth Davidson

• Nyack Village Board: Deputy Mayor Pascale Jean-Gilles and Trustees Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, Joe Carlin, and Nathalie Riobe-Taylor

🛍️ Local Businesses

Deep gratitude to:

• Fresh Market – for providing water, Gatorade, and sandwiches

• Strawberry Place (Vinny Cuccio) – for offering free meals to affected families and first responders

• Grace Church – for opening their doors and offering needed goods
  A special shout-out to Tom Lynch (Casa Del Sol) for quickly offering help and setting the tone for business support.

🏘️ Village Staff

Our Village staff coordinated everything—setting up a command post, conducting outreach, and securing hotel rooms. Thank you:

• Village Administrator Andy Stewart

• Ann Marie Tlsty (Confidential Assistant)

• Rosa Martinez (Deputy Clerk/Treasurer)

• Building Department: Manny Carmona, Paul Rozsypal, and especially David Smith for assisting residents in retrieving belongings post-fire.

🤝 Nyack Plaza Community

To all the Plaza residents—thank you for your patience, spirit, and cooperation. Even with no power, you came together like a family. That strength was evident all day.

🏠 The Families

Finally, to all the displaced families—your grace and patience in a devastating moment were extraordinary. You supported each other, and we will continue to support you.

I’ll finish as I started: we were lucky. Lucky no one was seriously hurt, and lucky to live in a community that always rises in times of need.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated, shared links, and sent messages of support. Please continue sharing and giving.

With gratitude,
– JR

You can contact us at (845) 358-0548, or visit www.Nyack-NY.gov.