HYDE PARK – A pre-dawn fire on Friday required more than 40 Roosevelt firefighters to extinguish, according to Fire District Chief Lew Darrow. The call came in at 5:28 a.m. for a fire at 9 Windmill Road which is part of the sewer treatment plant for the Greenfields subdivision.
Chief Darrow was the first to arrive on scene and told dispatchers that a 30-foot by 50-foot wood-frame structure was fully engulfed in flames. The Roosevelt firefighters spent nearly 25 minutes getting the fire under control, while the Arlington, Hyde Park, and Hillside fire departments relocated to Roosevelt stations on standby.
The building is owned by Dutchess County and operates under the direction of the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority. Chief Darrow said the unoccupied building and contents were “a total loss.” That included some of the treatment equipment inside the structure.
County officials said treatment equipment outside the building continues to function.
The sewer plant can still accept wastewater and provide some treatment, the officials said. However, to reduce the volume of wastewater going to the plant, they are requesting all customers take immediate measures to reduce any unnecessary water use such as:
- flush toilets only when necessary
- take brief showers when needed
- minimize use of dishwashers
- postpone use of washing machines
- check toilet for leaks
- don’t leave water running
The county anticipates water conservation measures will be needed for the next two to three days while they work to set up temporary additional treatment equipment.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Assisting at the fire scene were the Hyde Park Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Mobile Life Support Services, and the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division. A crew from Central Hudson Gas & Electric was present to manage utility service.
Dutchess County has made provisions to keep the sewer plant operational. Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr and Councilman Ken Schneider along with building and fire inspectors for the town were also at the scene.
