The body of a Spring Valley firefighter who went missing battling the fire at an assisted care facility has been recovered and identified.
County Executive Ed Day identified the fallen firefighter as 35-year-old Jared Lloyd.
“Jared Lloyd gave his life in service to others," said Day. "He searched the burning building, determined to rescue anyone who had been trapped. His loss is devastating. There is no other way to put it. But I will tell you this, his loss and heroism will never be forgotten."
Jared Lloyd
Lloyd was also an employee of News 12's parent company, Altice.
Altice released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of our colleague Jared Lloyd. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as well as all those who have been impacted by this tragic event. Jared’s heroic actions and bravery as a volunteer firefighter will never be forgotten."
Crews were working all day and well into the night digging through the rubble by hand as well as with machines in order to bring their brother firefighter home. The firefighter was among the first to rush into the burning building to save residents at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults early Tuesday Morning. All 112 seniors living at the facility are accounted for. Sadly, one resident later died at the hospital.
But fire officials say thanks to the heroic efforts of all the first responders, numerous lives were saved Tuesday. There are multiple state and county agencies working together on the investigation into what caused the blaze.
In a post on Facebook, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said "Early this morning the recovery efforts were successful and the body of a fallen firefighter, a hero for all was recovered and removed with great solemnity by his fellow brothers and sisters in the fire and emergency services. Later on today a briefing will take place and we will learn more about this wonderful volunteer firefighter who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. This is an extraordinarily difficult time for the fire services within Rockland County. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bravest and the fellow firefighters of Spring Valley who lost a brother today. My condolences and prayers to all so deeply affected by this terrible tragedy. Please do what you can to thank and support our first responders as the next few days will be enormously difficult."