An early morning fire on Saturday in the Fairview section of the Town of Poughkeepsie claimed the lives of 3 young adults.  The four on duty staff (3 firefighters and 1 officer) of the Fairview Fire District responded to a Marist College off campus community house at 112 Fairview Avenue for a working structure fire at 136 am.  The crew responded with the normal structure fire assignment of an engine and ladder truck, as well as an additional engine from the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Dept. with another 3 firefighters on pre-arranged mutual aid to the scene.  Upon arrival Fairview firefighters found a  2 1/2 story wood frame structure with heavy fire showing from the rear side of the structure and the report of people trapped.  Firefighters quickly requested a second alarm which brought to the scene all remaining apparatus, as well as call back of off duty Fairview personnel,  any additional volunteers and mutual aid assistance from the Arlington Fire District with their Rescue Truck and FAST team as well as Mobile Life Support EMS with a ALS ambulance to the scene and then Roosevelt Fire District stood by with an engine in Fairview fire station.

With an initial report of several victims trapped,  firefighters on scene attempted to make an aggressive interior attack on the fire, but were pushed back by the extreme heat and flames.  As additional help arrived they placed several ground ladders up to the building, then firefighters also had to protect an exposure on the left side of the fire building as fire was rapidly growing and melting siding and cracking windows in that exposure building.  At the height of the fire the structure had flames coming from the majority of windows on all floors and the four sides,  with firefighters and sucessive arriving crews putting several handlines,  a portable deck gun and even a ladder pipe were placed in service to attack this fire.   There was also several cars in the rear parking area of the structure that were on fire or in danger of catching fire,  2 were totally consumed fire,  1 partially consumed by fire and 3 others charred by flame and heat.

The fire was brought under control in about 90 miunutes,  then firefighters began the effort of searching for the victims and put out areas of little fire remaining.  There were 4 survivors who all suffered minor injuries in the fire,  which claimed the lives of 3 others. Over the next few hours the 3 deceased victims were while continued overhaul, search,  and fire investigation was being conducted.  The fire has been labeled undetermined at this time by investigators. Fairview firefighters and all other assisting units cleared the scene around 5pm, almost 15 hours later,  some of which didn't get much rest from working this call.

The members of IAFF Local #2623 would like to give thanks to the following organizations for assisting on scene or on stand-by;   City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department firefighters (IAFF Local #596),  Arlington Fire District firefighters (IAFF Local #2393),  Roosevelt Fire District, Hyde Park Fire Department,  Mobile Life Support EMS, Town of Poughkeepsie Police, Dutchess County Sheriffs Office, Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Fire Investigation Division, Coordinators and the Dispatching Staff,  City of Poughkeepsie Police (for use of their Command Vehicle by Fire Investigators), Town of Poughkeepsie Building Department,  Town of Poughkeepsie Highway Department,  Marist College, New York State Dept. of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro & his Office, and lastly the Fairview Fire Co. Ladies Auxilary and the Palace Diner for refreshments & coffee.  We also would like to thank the multiple media outlets that have been covering this tragic fire at this college off campus house.

In conclusion, we would like to express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the entire Marist College community and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic fire.

Finally we would like to offer to anyone that has questions about fire safety to contact us so we may further prevent these events from happening anywhere again.  

   Fire shortly after arrival (Courtesy Photo)                 Firefighters fight fire  (Courtesy Photo)              After shot of house,  before demolition 

The Fairview Fire District answered 1954 Alarms in 2011.

Fairviews Bravest worked Every Hour of Everyday to protect the thousands of people who live in and have passed through the District in 2011.

We do also acknowledge that we did need help on occasion from our neighboring Fire Departments too, and for that we Thank them All for the help.

We are Always Here, Always Ready and Always Prepared to Handle Whatever Emergency we are Called to Answer.

Fairview firefighters were called mutual aid to the City of Poughkeepsie to assist at the scene of a structure fire at the City Deli on Main Street there.   Fairview responded with 41-11 to the scene to stand-by as FAST while city firefighters attacked the fire.  City firefighters operating made a good stop on the fire which did considerable damage to the interior of the building.

Fairview firefighters were then sent to the Poughkeepsie Main Street Station after City firefighters had the fire under control to stand-by til City fire units were free'd up.  No injuries were reporting at the fire and the fire is under investigation by City of Poughkeepsie Fire and Police investigators.

   City firefighters operate at City Center Deli fire                                Fairview firefighters check the building over

  Lt. Allen Jones checks with City Ladder operator                             Fairview firefighters stand-by ready for action

In  a 3 alarm fire in Worcester, MA overnight in which there was partial building collapse,  1 firefighter has died and 2 others have been seriously injured.  Our hearts go out to these hard working Brothers and Sisters who just the other day remembered the 6 Firefighters lost in the Worcester Cold Storage fire 12 years ago on December 3, 1999.

May these fine firefighters,  their familes and friends all be in your prayers today.  We also wish for the speedy recovery of the 2 seriously injured firefighters that are still in the hospital.

Here is the link to the Boston area news report on todays tragic fire;  http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/12/08/at_least_1_firefighter_removed_after_mass_blaze/

Our condolences and prayers for the Mount Vernon, NY Fire Department on the loss of Brother Firefighte Kevin Townes.  Our prayers and sympathy to go out today to his family and friends.  It is believed that Brother Townes was called to the scene this pre-dawn fire and suffered a massive heart attack during the fire battle.

We just found out this information and it is preliminary,  more information will be posted as it becomes available.

Here is a link to the LoHud New website for what they have at this time.   http://www.lohud.com/article/20111208/NEWS02/112080356/Mount-Vernon-firefighter-dies-apparent-heart-attack-after-responding-pre-dawn-fire?odyssey=nav%7Chead