Early on Feb. 21 another fire broke out near Iona’s campus. This time it was at 33 Beechmont Dr., the home of six of the Christian Brothers who work at Iona. The fire started around 3 p.m. in the attic. Everyone in the house was able to get out and firefighters were able to get the fire under control in less than an hour.

Br. Joseph Cussen commended the firefighters for their hard work.

“The New Rochelle Fire Department deserves a great deal of credit for saving the outside structure of the residence and therefore most of the personal belongings of the Brothers,” he said. “I was fortunate in that only my computer was lost, and that due to water damage.”

The most likely cause of the fire looks to be electrical. Some snow may have leaked through the roof and come into contact with an exposed electrical wire, leading to the fire.

All of the Brothers that were in the house at the time were able to get out safely.

“It was very fortunate that the blaze occurred around 3 p.m. and not at night since the smoke detectors on the lower floors were not activated,” said Cussen.

Brother Patrick Moffett was not at home that day, but found out how serious the fire was later on, at dinner with the Leadership Day students in the Mulcahy Gym.

“I reached my room to find the ceiling down and all a bit wet, but the rest all as I left it,” Moffett said.

While no one was hurt, there was considerable damage to the building, mainly due to water and smoke. There was also some structural damage.

“The third floor of the building was totally trashed in the course of the fire and the efforts to get it under control,” said Moffett. “The water damage has brought down ceilings on the second and first floor.”

It is unclear when the Brothers will be able to move back in. The house is currently being evaluated, and it will most likely take some time to make the house habitable again.

“The long term plan has not yet been decided,” said Br. Robert Novak.

“They have not given us hope that it could be soon,” said Moffett.

The Brothers who live there have moved into two other residences on campus, and move around for meals.

“We have breakfast in one house and dinner in another,” said Moffett.

Despite these inconveniences, the Brothers who have been affected by the misfortune are making the best of it.

“The spaces for gathering are smaller and, for now, enhance a sense of togetherness in yet another adventure. Adjusting to new situations is often the story of our lives as Brothers,” said Moffett.