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Holiday house fire levels one of Silo Ridge’s largest homes

 Even with the help of additional fire companies from across the region, members the Amenia Fire Company found themselves working for roughly 10 hours to extinguish a house fire reported in the Silo Ridge Field Club luxury housing development off of Route 22 in Amenia on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Amenia Fire Company Fire Chief Aaron Howard Jr. reported that the company was originally dispatched in the early morning hours at 4:03 a.m. in response to a report about a possible house fire at 13 Sparrow View Drive. Following the company’s arrival on the scene, he said they quickly realized that it was a “fully involved house fire” with flames visible from all sides and coming through the roof and windows.

Chief Howard confirmed that the structure, which was still under construction though nearing completion,  was “not occupied” at the time of the fire.

“It was close to a complete loss,” he said. “I think we cleared it around 2 p.m., so we were there for a good 10 hours.”

Assisted by the Wassaic Fire Company, the Millerton Fire Company, the J.H. Ketcham Hose Company and the Sharon Fire Department in neighboring Connecticut, the Amenia Fire Company used a master stream to get a large flow of water over the totally engulfed building. 

While there wasn’t much of the house left standing after the fire was put out, Howard said the construction company behind the Silo Ridge development and golf course community, Stoneleaf Construction in Amenia, was on the scene to make an assessment. Private homes at Silo Ridge can cost upwards of $5 million.

The fire is currently under investigation with assistance from the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division. However, Howard commented that the fire does not appear suspicious at this time, but rather accidental.

A Silo Ridge spokesman said the company had no comment.

Kaitlin Lyle

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