BEACON (7 May 2007) - At around 1:50am neighboring houses to 111 Verplanck Ave called in a house fire at that location. Dutchess 911 transmitted a full first alarm assignment for a house fire at that locations minutes later. Upon arrival of Tower Ladder 33-45, he found heavy fire in the rear of a 2.5 sty private dwelling with exposure problems. Soon after Car 33-9 (Career Lt Tim Dexter, Sr) arrived and transmitted a second alarm bringing V/ Fishkill Quint 42-12 to the scene as the FAST truck and Rescue 33-55 also to the scene. Glenham and Rombout also at this time covered the city.

Companies immediately stretched three 1 3/4" handlines to start the initial attack of the fire in the 2.5-story 25x40 wood-frame private dwelling that was divided into two apartments. At this time there was heavy fire throughout the fire building with the garage in the rear yard also fully involved. In addition the exposure two side building was starting to receive heat damage and was an immediate exposure threat. The companies quickly protected the exposures and knocked the fire down in about 20 minutes.

As crews mounted the fire attack, there were numerous reports that people were still trapped in the building. Around arrival time, one occupant jumped from the porch roof in the front and a second jumped through the glass window on the second floor hitting the concrete front street. Both victims were transported to area hospitals and further searches of the residence turned negative results.

Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries. Initial investigation of the fire has shown multiple points of fire origin, making the fire suspicious in nature. The fire is still under investigation by the City Fire Investigation Unit.

(Photos By: Jim Tompkins)

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