The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

One Week – Two Fires

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by Bea Peterson
A fire on Spicer Road in Hoosick, in a building that houses Hardesty Waste Removal and RM Bacon Construction, was started when sparks from a grinding machine accidentally ignited flammable material nearby. According to Hoosick Fire Chief Bill Rifenburgh, Fire Departments from Hoosick, Hoosick Falls, West Hoosick, North Hoosick and Pittstown responded to the 12:37 pm call on Monday, November 22. Rifenburgh said it took about 15 minutes to put out the initial fire, but it was another two hours of removing metal walls and ceiling panels before the fire was completely extinguished.
Rifenburgh said there was moderate damage to the building. “They are already working on it,” he added. “Electricians were working in the building Monday night.” There was some smoke and heat damage to equipment in the building as well.

Crews were on the scene at 93 Spicer Road in Hoosick for a garage fire that was fully involved when they arrived and made an initial attack. The Fire Chief said that the fire was well into the walls and the ceiling of the structure. Once the heavy fire was knocked down the attention was drawn to the roof area that was harder to put out because the roof was tin. Crews from Hoosick Falls, Pittstown and the County Fire and Origin Team were on hand at the scene to assist in the fire operations. Photo by I.P.A.

Children Playing With Fire
Hoosick Falls Police and Fire Departments responded to a fire in a four apartment house at the corner of Hoosick and First Streets on Thursday, November 18, at 2 pm. Other fire departments that responded were Hoosick, North Hoosick, West Hoosick and Pittstown. “The fire fighters did a great job of getting the fire out quickly,” said Police Chief Robert Ashe.

A spray of water makes a pretty picture at the fire on Firdt Street in Hoosick Falls. Photo by Rick Ferrannini.

“It could have been much worse.” As it was, the fire gutted the upstairs bedroom where three young children were playing with a cigarette lighter. Their mother was downstairs at the time. No one was injured in the fire. The family could not stay in the apartment and was being aided by the Red Cross. The downstairs apartment was uninhabitable for the day because of water and smoke damage. The other two apartments were untouched.
According to Police Chief Ashe, as a result of the fire investigation, and unrelated to the fire, the father was later charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Area fire fighters quickly attack the fire on First Street in Hoosick Falls on November 18 and succeeded in saving most of the structure. Photo by Rick Ferrannini.
Using a heat sensor. Photo by Rick Ferrannini.
House for sale? Photo by Rick Ferrannini.