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Early morning fire on New Year’s Eve day leaves Scribner Road home gutted

MILLERTON — When Millerton Fire Chief Jason Watson arrived on the scene of the one-alarm structure fire 44 minutes after midnight on Friday, Dec. 31, the last day of 2021, he had no idea if there was anyone trapped inside the two-story home at 36 Scribner Road.

He arrived on scene a mere 10 minutes after the call was received for the Millerton house fire. As Watson described days later, “The house was fully involved when I got there… there were flames coming out of every room.”

The seasoned fire chief said it was one of more severe fires he’s seen during his career in emergency services.

He called for an additional tanker, which brought additional equipment and personnel from fire departments from nearby Amenia, Wassaic and Pine Plains, plus North East Medic 1, as well as companies from Sharon and Lakeville, Conn.

Lakeville was also brought in to stand by in Millerton’s Fire Station, said Watson.

According to the chief, “The first engine arrived on scene and immediately began suppressing the fire, utilizing compressed air foam. No civilians or fire personnel were injured at the scene.”

The fire was placed under control at 1:13 a.m. and all units were back in service by 9:30 a.m.

Although there were neighboring homes nearby, Watson said none were damaged by the blaze on Scribner Road.

He added that the house was completely destroyed by the fire, and nothing was left standing by the time the volunteer  firefighters had put out the flames.

When asked how conditions were fighting this particular house fire on New Year’s Eve morning, Watson said they were “average,” and that he was grateful no civilians or fire personnel were hurt while the inferno was being extinguished.

The Millerton Fire Company and the North East Fire District added “they would like to thank Millerton Fire’s Support, Talk of The Towne Deli, Frank Duncan of Northwest Lawn and Landscape and Chris Stalker of Hillsdale Repair. A big thank you also to Dutchess 911 dispatchers and coordinators CC-14, CC-16 and CC-51. And last but not least the 40 volunteer firefighters who answered the alarm.”

Whitney Joseph

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