POUGHKEEPSIE – A Monday afternoon fire in an old multi-family dwelling in Poughkeepsie required multiple fire departments to get under control and save the building. The fire at 28 S. Clover Street was reported at approximately 4:05 p.m.
Poughkeepsie firefighters arrived within minutes and reported heavy smoke billowing from the rear of the residence that overlooks Route 9 near the Route 9/44/55 interchange. A request for assistance brought firefighters and equipment to the scene, with fire vehicles stretched all the way to the Main Street intersection near The Derby.
The building, erected in 1900, has been remodeled over the years and contains four apartments inside a labyrinth of entrances and hallways. Firefighters located the fire in the walls and ceiling of one unit which was spreading to other parts of the structure. With all six residents evacuated, firefighters were able to knock the bulk of the fire down within 30 minutes and then spent a substantial amount of time removing ceilings and portions of the roof to extinguish the remaining flames.
The house, owned by the Holy Light Pentecostal Church, located across the street, sustained substantial fire, smoke, and water damage. The displaced occupants told fire officials that they all had places to stay and did not require lodging assistance from the American Red Cross.
Mayor Rob Rolison arrived on the scene to offer assistance and words of encouragement to the tenants. He also praised the work of the first responders. “Our Poughkeepsie fire department, with the assistance of firefighters from Arlington and Fairview was able to avert losing the building due to their quick work. They are an asset to the city.”
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.
Two videos of the work are below:
