TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Firefighters prevented a Sunday afternoon fire at a plumbing warehouse from spreading throughout the large, aging structure. Multiple callers reported the fire to Dutchess County 911 at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, June 5.
The Arlington Fire Department was dispatched for reports of a fire at the Arlington Supply warehouse at 30 N. Grand Avenue on Sunday afternoon. When they arrived, heavy smoke was showing from the large warehouse. A second alarm was requested, bringing manpower and equipment from the remaining Arlington fire stations and Engine 3 from the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department.
Arlington Fire Chief Bill Steenbergh said the firefighters made entry into the smoke-filled structure and located flames in the rear of the building. Firefighters spent approximately 15 minutes extinguishing the flames and verifying that the fire had not spread further into the building.
“Our initial investigation indicates that the fire started on the outside of the building,” said Steenbergh at the scene, adding “Our fire investigation unit will begin as soon as we are certain the fire has not spread elsewhere.”
An official close to the investigation credited the Arlington Supply Company’s warehouse with preventing a major loss of property. “When the emergency personnel first arrived, they saw the maintenance man pulling items from the warehouse and spraying the flames with a hose during the four minutes that it took for firefighters to arrive.”
The Town of Poughkeepsie Police and an ambulance from Mobile Life assisted at the scene. No injuries were reported.
