BEACON (13 Jan 03) - On Monday, January 13, 2003 at about 12:00PM, the City of Beacon Fire Department and Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corp. were dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at 1 Forestal Heights, the Beacon Housing Authority Senior Citizen's Hi-Rise Building.

Upon the arrival of City Car 9 (Lt. Dexter), he found fire in one apartment on the 3rd floor of the 10 story 100x100 fire-proof occupied multiple dwelling. Two members of ladder company 1 conducted a quick primary search of the fire apartment before a line could be set up. The two members quickly located the resident of the apartment and removed her. One line was stretched and used to knock down the fire from the buildings stand-pipe system.

Command required a 3rd alarm for manpower and fans due to the heavy smoke condition in the floors above. About 75 senior citizens were in the building during the fire and all were removed for precautionary reasons. The resident who's apartment caught fire is currently in critical condition from severe smoke inhalation and burns. Mutual aid came from Glenham with 1 engine, Village of Fishkill with 1 quint, and Rombout with 1 tower/ ladder to the scene. The City Fire Investigation Team reported that the fire was caused by a cigarette.

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