Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Mark Nelson (Action News Network © for Mid-Hudson News)
(Action News Service video © for MHNN.com)
POUGHKEEPSIE – Four people died early Monday morning as fire raged through a boarded up house at 61 Academy Street in the City of Poughkeepsie. The city had seized the building for failure to pay back taxes.
The cause is unknown at this time, said Fire Chief Mark Johnson.
“At this point it is someone who brought something in to either keep warm or a criminal activity, which we don’t know at this time. It’s under investigation,” Johnson said.
There is speculation the house may have been used for squatters or as a drug den.
The identities of the victims will have to be determined by the medical examiner.
The fire was called in after 1 a.m. and when firefighters searched the interior hours later they found the first two bodies inside. As the search continued other victims were found.
Several fire departments fought the blaze.
City Administrator Marc Nelson said the house was on the city’s “blight list” and they were marketing it in hopes of selling it. The city had received a few offers, but nothing had come of them, he said.
After the fire, the building was deemed unsafe by the city building inspector. Nelson said the city will likely have it demolished later this week.
