by Steve Bradley
A fire in a currently unoccupied apartment at the Wood Park Apartments in Hoosick Falls caused extensive damage to that apartment on Saturday, May 16. The fire call, which came in just after noon, reported a heavy smoke condition existed in the North end of the building.
[private]Upon arrival, Hoosick Falls firefighters found the North end full of smoke and a fire in the one apartment. Hoosick Falls fireman Charlie Stowell said, “The hall was so filled with smoke I had to move along the wall to get to the fire. I couldn’t see anything.” Although the fire itself was quickly extinguished, smoke continued to come out of the building for a considerable time.
Residents were immediately evacuated. Many sat outside in the shade on the warm day and watched the firefighters in action. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, next to Wood Park, was opened and some residents went there temporarily. Residents were not allowed to return to the building at all Saturday, so many stayed with relatives overnight. A few were housed in the Center for Nursing and Rehabilition (Health Center), and at least one resident, Eastwick Press reporter Bea Peterson, whose apartment was directly above the fire damaged area, has been temporarily relocated to an apartment on John Street. Residents in the South end of the building returned to their apartments Sunday evening.
According to Hoosick Falls Fire Chief Paul Alexsonis, the building did what it was built to do. It kept the fire contained in the one apartment. The Chief said he was very proud of his team and how quickly they were able to get the fire out.
One resident will not be able to return until the burned apartment is rebuilt. Eleven others in the North end of the building will not be able to return to their apartments until smoke abatement is complete.
Initial indications are the fire began in the kitchen area of the apartment and may have had electrical origins. There were no reports of any injuries to residents or emergency personnel.
Fire Departments responding to the mutual aid call were Hoosick Falls, North Hoosick, West Hoosick, Pittstown, Buskirk, Cambridge and Johnsonville. The Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad had a crew on site. The New York State Police and Hoosick Falls Police also responded.
[/private]