NEWBURGH – The fire that gutted a vacant building at 11 South Miller Street in the City of Newburgh was caused by squatters, city officials said Monday.
Several area fire departments assisted the city in extinguishing the blaze that broke out before 7 a.m. on Saturday.
City Manager Todd Venning said the cause has been determined.
“The city’s fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be a candle, which was being used by a squatter in 11 South Miller Street, who self-evacuated the building. Code compliance notified the property owner to properly board and secure the building,” he said.
It took firefighters an hour and a half to bring the two-alarm blaze under control.
Neighbors told city council members Monday night that the man who allegedly started the fire has a history of starting fires in other city vacant buildings.
Assisting in fighting the fire were the fire departments from the Stewart Air Guard, Castle Point VA, Cronomer Valley, West Point, and Vails Gate as well as Mobile Life Support Services.
Middle Hope and Goodwill fire departments covered the city while crews operated.
