POUGHKEEPSIE – A fire in a multi-family structure Thursday night displaced at least 10 residents and had Poughkeepsie firefighters fighting a blaze amid frigid temperatures.
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at a multi-story residence at 96 N. Hamilton Street on Thursday night around midnight. First-arriving firefighters confirmed a fire on the second floor of the multi-family dwelling and transmitted a second-alarm, bringing firefighters and equipment from neighboring Fairview and Arlington Fire Departments.
According to Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Mark Johnson, his firefighters battled a heavy fire on the second floor of the building while other firefighters searched for trapped occupants. Firefighters were able to determine that no occupants were left in the building.
For more than 30 minutes, the firefighters fought back the flames until the fire was determined to be extinguished. The entire structure sustained smoke and water damage with the bulk of the fire damage confined to the second floor.
Johnson was at the scene and was in communication with the American Red Cross to secure shelter for the displaced occupants.
Mayor Rob Rolison was on the scene and said, “This is another example of how quick our Poughkeepsie firefighters work to save lives and property. I’m also grateful for the professional firefighters from Arlington and Fairview that responded to assist our men.”
Johnson said that the cause and origin of the fire were not immediately known and would require further investigation. No injuries to occupants, firefighters, or others occurred. Medics from Mobile Life were on the scene as were City of Poughkeepsie Police. Central Hudson employees arrived to terminate power and gas to the building while a city building inspector prepared to make a determination of the structure’s stability.
First responders were packing up their gear shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday.
