NEWBURGH – As of Wednesday morning, all eight Newburgh firefighters injured while responding to the Verla disaster in neighboring New Windsor have been treated and released. Currently, they are at home with their families. City Manager Michael Ciaravino says they are “…still reliving what came very close to being line of duty deaths, and we are working to give them the space to just be with their families at this time.”
Most of the injuries were minor, involving strains, pulled muscles and bruises.
One firefighter sustained a fractured fibula in his right leg. He will be out of work for a minimum of six weeks. He sustained injuries when a wall collapsed on him during the second explosion.
Two firefighter sustained burns. One was transported to Westchester Medical Center, burn unit. He was released Tuesday and should recover fully.
Another firefighter suffered hearing damage from the concussion of the second blast. The extent of his damage is still unknown.
“It is a testament to Newburgh Fire Departments never ending training that saved these lives,” said Ciareavino. “These firefighters are truly professional, and kept their heads when ‘the biological waste was hitting the oscillating cooling device. “I want to especially thank Chief Ahlers and the entire leadership of the Newburgh Fire Department for a job courageously well done.”
The explosions and subsequent fires on Monday killed a Verla employee. Thirty others, including several emergency responders, were injured.
