Van fire spreads to brush along Sharon Station Road near Route 343

AMENIA — A fire that started with a van spread to brush along Sharon Station Road near the intersection with Route 343 in Amenia Friday, April 10.

The fire broke out just after 11 a.m., nearby residents who reported the fire to authorities said.

Fire Chief Chris Howard said crews from Amenia and Wassaic had contained and extinguished the fire by 11:50 a.m. The exact cause of the van fire was unknown and Howard said it was unlikely that investigators would be able to determine the cause due to heavy damage to the vehicle.

Howard said no one was injured in the fire, but one person was taken to the hospital as a precaution in case they experienced smoke inhalation.

The still-smoldering interior of the Ford Econoline van that erupted into flame just after on Sharon Station Road near the intersection with Route 343 in Amenia on Friday, April 10 just after 11 a.m.Photo by Nathan Miller

After the van erupted into flame, wind spread the fire to brush along the north side of the road, Howard said.

James Morse, who lives on Sharon Station Road near where the fire erupted, said he called 911 after he witnessed the van turn the corner from Route 343 onto the road just after 11 a.m. The vehicle was making a loud hissing noise, he said, and then erupted into flame just after the driver exited the vehicle.

"All the flames were up and billowing black smoke was pouring out," Morse said.

Fire crews were wrapping up and packing up their hoses by noon.

"They did a good job today," Howard said of the volunteer firefighters.

Firefighters douse burnt brush along Sharon Station Road near the intersection with Route 343 in Amenia that caught fire after wind spread flames from a burning Ford Econoline van.Photo by Nathan Miller