Silo Ridge blaze draws several fire departments

Silo Ridge blaze draws several fire departments
Eight fire departments responded to the three-alarm fire at Silo Ridge on Thursday, Nov. 9, beginning at 8:48 p.m. The Silo Ridge Field Club and ten unoccupied condos burned well into the morning hours and continued to smoke for days. Photo courtesy Amenia Fire Chief Christopher Howard

AMENIA — A fire at the Silo Ridge Field Club on Thursday, Nov. 9, consumed a multi-unit condominium building and damaged surrounding structures.

The Amenia Fire District reported that the call was responded to at 8:48 p.m. by the Amenia Fire District volunteers, who upgraded the situation to a three-alarm fire in order to summon more resources through the mutual aid system.

Area residents reported seeing a substantial orange glow in the dark night sky. Some observers said that the flying embers looked like fireflies taking flight from the fire’s energy.

Eight fire departments responded, including Wassaic Fire District, North East Fire District, J.H. Ketcham (Dover Plains) Hose Company, Sharon Fire Department, Millbrook Fire Department, Lakeville Hose Company, Union Vale Fire District and Copake Fire Department, as well as Northern Dutchess Paramedics.

There were no reports of injuries.

Most of the responding departments are all-volunteer, including the Amenia Fire District. They take pride in their quick response time and the sense of community engagement that binds those who fight fires in their communities.

Support was also provided by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility for the scene at 2:53 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, according to official reports.

The fire remains under investigation.

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