POUGHKEEPSIE – A fire in Poughkeepsie on Wednesday afternoon has displaced 20 residents and sent two firefighters to the hospital. The cause and origin of the blaze at 144 North Clinton Street are under investigation.
The fire in the multi-family dwelling was reported at approximately 1:42 p.m. and required firefighters from the City of Poughkeepsie, Arlington, and Fairview Fire Departments to extinguish.
One tenant in a wheelchair required the assistance of several firefighters to be removed from the building that has several violations issued against it for trash accumulation.
Two City of Poughkeepsie firefighters were transported to the hospital by Mobile Life ambulances for evaluation.
Fairview Fire Lieutenant Robert Ridley rescued a bull terrier from the smoke-filled structure and reunited the pup with its tearful owner. A cat was also rescued by firefighters and returned to the same owner.
Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Joe Franco said “Poughkeepsie firefighters, assisted by the Fairview and Arlington departments battled heavy smoke conditions and were able to control a rapidly spreading fire and prevented the structure from being destroyed.”
The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the 20 tenants that were displaced. The structure sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage.
