Investigation Continues Following Massive Gap Fire in Fishkill

Police are still searching for answers after the Gap Distribution Center in Fishkill went up in flames late Monday night.

According to New York State Police, The ATF National Response Team, which has federal jurisdiction over fires involving interstate commerce, has been on scene and partnering with the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Police to determine the cause of the fire.

At this point in the investigation, the cause of the fire has not been determined.

This photo, which is trending on social media, may provide clues as to how the fire started. The photo shows boxes on shelves up in flames in what appears to be the picking area of the Gap warehouse where the fire is believed to have started. If the photo is real, arson could be a major factor in the fire.

On Wednesday, a New York State Police source told Hudson Valley Post an arson investigation was being conducted.

The fire began around 10:30 p.m. Monday. Firefighters from Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties spent around six hours putting out the blaze and hotspots.

“An aggressive interior attack was made by firefighters who were driven out by deteriorating conditions,” Fishkill Fire Chief Brandon Knapp said during a press conference. “A transition to a defensive attack was made.”

Around 100 Gap employees were inside the building at the time of the fire. They were all evacuated with no reported injuries.

“One firefighter sustained a minor injury,” Knapp said.

Around 600 employees are currently out of work.

On Tuesday, employees were told not to come into work following the fire. CBS reports employees who missed out on work will be paid. Officials are trying to figure out if operations can temporarily be moved to another location.

Anyone with information regarding the fire can all State Police at 845-677-7300.