RHINEBECK – A house at 336 Route 308 in Rhinebeck was severely damaged by fire Monday afternoon and the cause appears to have been a television set.

The Rhinebeck Fire Department was dispatched at around 1:15 p.m. for a reported TV on fire.

It took the fire department five minutes to arrive at the scene with firefighters being confronts by heavy fire and smoke condition within the one story ranch dwelling.

The homeowner, James Moyers, who had been watching television, had safely gotten out of the house prior to the arrival of the fire department.

Fire was visible out four windows and lapping over the roof. A second alarm was transmitted as hose lines were stretched and placed into operation in the interior of the dwelling as the fire was beaten back and extinguished.

The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes with overhaul, salvage, and fire investigation continuing.  

The home sustained extensive fire and heat damage with the two rear bedrooms being completely consumed by fire.

The cause of the fire in under investigation by the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Unit. Assisting Rhinebeck at the scene were the Hillside, Milan, and Red Hook fire departments and the Rhinebeck PD and State Police. The Staatsburg and Rhinecliff fire departments were on standby covering Rhinebeck fire station.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire.