Fire Department Battles Fatal Fire in Upstate New York Building

A weekend blaze claimed one life as multiple fire departments battled a devastating fire on Main Street in Catskill, New York.

According to the Catskill Fire Company, it all started at approximately 6:17 p.m. when first responders were called to respond to a reported building fire on Main Street in the Greene County, NY town.

Fatal Fire in Catskill, New York

As first responders arrived on the scene, they quickly determined that they would need more help battling the blaze and activated a third alarm to request mutual aid from neighboring fire departments.

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Firefighters began to battle the blaze by pushing into the basement apartment from the rear of the building located at 477 Main Street. As they entered the Hudson Fire Department, which was providing mutual aid, made a hard hit on the first floor according to the Catskill Fire Company.

As the fire continued to burn, the conditions rapidly changed and at one point the front first floor had a partial collapse leading firefighters to adjust their plan to put out the fire. News Channel 13 spoke to Catskill Fire Department’s 1st Assistant Chief Ed Dolan, who said that at one point the fire involved three buildings and that the wood in the building made the fire more challenging,

"It’s the middle of the block wood frame structure on the 1800s. It’s connected to two other words. Frame structures, which means they’re basically built to burn."

 

Fire Investigation in Catskill, NY

Firefighters worked for hours to put the fire out. Once it was fully extinguished they announced that it left significant damage to the 1st floor and basement of one of the buildings and that two of the neighboring buildings only had minor damage.

After further investigation they also confirmed that one person tragically passed away in the fire. Fire officials didn't reveal the identity of the person who passed away but did say that the fire is under investigation.