Fire Claims Life of Former Highway Supervisor in Beacon

A tragic house fire claimed the life of a retired city worker and sent three others to the hospital in Beacon, New York.

According to the City of Beacon, a call came in Tuesday evening reporting a structure fire on Alice Street, with individuals possibly trapped inside.

House Fire in Beacon, New York

First responders from various departments, including Beacon, Castle Point, and the Village of Fishkill, were dispatched to a house at 9 Alice Street in Beacon at approximately 6:29 p.m. for a structure fire.

Upon arrival, Beacon fire officials reported heavy fire coming from the house along with three vehicles that were parked in front. Firefighters began to fight the fire from a "transitional attack" using the deck gun from a fire truck to knock down the fire while firefighters attacked the front of the house, according to a press release.

SEE ALSO: Can You Identify These Men Who Illegally Dumped 'Donations'?

Firefighters quickly gained entry to the house and were met with heavy fire conditions.

Firefighters Search House in Beacon, NY

As first responders continued to fight the fire inside the home, they began to search the first floor and didn't locate any victims trapped inside. They proceeded to move to the second floor and knock down more of the fire, along with conducting a primary search for any victims. The primary search was negative.

Victim Located

Once firefighters were able to ventilate the house, they quickly began a secondary search of the entire house and uncovered a deceased victim. The deceased was located in the living room on the first floor of the house, according to reports.

The deceased was later identified as Eugene (Gene) Murphy, a retired City of Beacon Highway Department Supervisor. Murphy worked for the city for 30 years. Beacon Mayo Lee Kyriacou offered condolences to Mr. Murphy's family and friends.

Three other occupants of the home were transported to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for burns suffered in the fire. Six of the numerous first responders suffered minor injuries fighting the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, which the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division and others are handling.