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 and ladder truck in the Fairview fire station. A special assignement requesting an additional Engine from City of Poughkeepsie F.D. with manpower to the scene was requested too.

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.  Roosevelt F.D. with their resuce truck and manpower responded to the scene late afternoon to assist with overhaul operations after the investigators were complete with scene investigation for the day. 

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,  Dutchess County Medical Examiners Office, 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