NEWBURGH – A large fire that began in a house on Lutheran Street in the City of Newburgh has expanded to numerous neighboring houses, requiring multiple fire departments to respond to the city at approximately 9:15 pm.
The four-alarm fire was first reported to be at 36 Lutheran Street and then spread to 38 and 40 Lutheran Street, near the intersection with Van Ness Street.
Mayor Torrance Harvey called the fire “tragic” and said it appeared that no one was injured. He said the Red Cross was called in to assist those who were left homeless.
The mayor said the initial building that caught fire was abandoned.
Police officers from other departments have responded to assist Newburgh officers assigned to a double stabbing on Dubois Street that occurred earlier Sunday night.
Police working to evacuate the neighboring Lutheran Street buildings reported that occupants were trying to remove TVs and other belongings rather than leaving for safety.
There was a report that one of the burning buildings had six propane tanks at the back of the building and first responders were advised to use extreme caution.
