BEACON, NY - The City of Beacon Fire Department responded at 1:47 P.M. on the afternoon of March 19th to a reported building fire in Building 3 at the Colonial Spring Apartments, located on Colonial Rd. City of Beacon firefighters were first alerted to the fire by very observant City of Newburgh firefighters, who saw the billowing smoke from their firehouse, in Newburgh, and called the City of Beacon firehouse.

Upon arrival of the first arriving City of Beacon Fire Department units three minutes later, a two-story multi-family apartment building was found with a large amount of smoke emitting from the roof. In addition to the Village of Fishkill Fire Department and Castle Point Fire Department, who were already responding on the initial alarm, a second-alarm was transmitted and an additional request was made for a Ladder Truck from the City of Newburgh Fire Department to respond to the scene. 

A fast-moving fire was found in the attic space above four apartment units. Firefighters, with the assistance of the City of Beacon Police Department, ensured that the building was evacuated and then began an aggressive attack using three hose lines to extinguish the fire.  

Subsequently, a third-alarm was transmitted, which brought both the Glenham and Rombout Fire Departments to the scene, along with a Firefighter Assist Search Team (FAST) to the scene from the Coldenham Fire District.  

Beacon Fire Department units cleared the scene at 6:20 P.M. 

As a result of the fire, 30 residents were displaced. The American Red Cross provided emergency housing, through the assistance of the Salvation Army, to the displaced residents. 

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the City of Beacon Police Department, along with the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division. 

Dutchess County Car 13 & Car 17, City of Beacon Medic 1, Beacon Volunteer Ambulance, City of Beacon Water Department and Building Department all provided assistance at the scene.