Elected Officials Announce Plan to Rename Street in Honor of Local Hero who perished in Massive Blaze

By: Yitzy Fried

It has been almost a year from the deadly blaze at the Evergreen Home for Adults in Spring Valley last march. 

Just before 1:00 a.m. on March, 23, 2021, the call came in to fire departments in Spring Valley about a fire at the Adult Care facility. As the fire spread toward the roof, dozens of people were fleeing. Emergency responders and staff began carrying some residents out, then returning to help others evacuate. Among them was Jared Lloyd, a member of Columbian Fire Engine Co. No. 1 in Spring Valley for over 15 years. 

Immediately upon arrival on the scene, he ran toward the blaze and was instrumental in carrying over 100 people to safety—while he would pay the ultimate price for his heroism. 

Thursday, a group of elected officials gathered to announce the designation of the section of Route 45 in Spring Valley between New Hempstead Road and East Eckerson Road as “Jared Lloyd Memorial Highway.” 

Standing outside the Hillcrest Fire Station in Spring Valley, Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and Assemblyman Michael Lawler were joined by members of the Lloyd family as they lauded his heroism and bravery, capping off a career of fifteen years by saving so many lives on a dark night in Spring Valley.