MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – A growing number of fires are occurring in areas around New York, leading to an unusually high volume of emergency requests for assistance, according to Mary Molgard, disaster public affairs volunteer partner for the American Red Cross.

“We had 17 fires, or fire-related incidents, in the Hudson Valley," Mogard said. “Sometimes, it's a furnace malfunction, electric heaters that get overheated, etcetera."

While the cause of the fires varies, Mogard encouraged New Yorkers not to overcharge electronics, and to be mindful of electric scooters, bikes and propane tanks. 

Stuart Carver, chief of the Pocatello Fire Department, said an Orange County family has been without a home after a propane gas explosion on Pocatello Road on Christmas Eve.

“There was a report of four people in the occupancy. They had all been self-evacuated with one cat," Carver said. "There was one injury on the scene. EMS was called to the scene, and they were evaluated at the scene.”

Carver said he encourages everyone to check their smoke detectors, and to know the risks associated with propane tanks.

“There was extensive damage done [to the home]," Carver said. "There were walls blown out on the left side of the dwelling, also the floors in the kitchen, the living room and the back bedroom were blown up from the explosion.”

Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of house fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, with space heaters accounting for two of every five fires.

The dangers were recently realized in the Capital Region.

While Red Cross volunteers help provide immediate support during emergencies, Mogard said they are accepting monetary donations on an ongoing basis.

“The best donation is a financial donation," Mogard said. "We’re not able to take clothing or furniture or any household supplies.”