A dramatic fire swept through several buildings of a historic psychiatric institution in the Hudson Valley, as captured in striking footage.
The fire broke out on Wednesday at the long-abandoned Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie. This center, which was founded in 1867, found its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, after it had ceased operations years earlier, reported Pix 11.
Aerial visuals from the site reveal three buildings on the premises, many constructed from wood and dating back to the late 1800s, engulfed in smoke and fire. The scene was met by the efforts of at least a dozen firefighting units from across the region, valiantly striving to control the blaze.
Officials noted that the smoke billowing from the fire was visible from miles away, underscoring the enormity of the incident.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino emphasized the challenges posed by the large size, age, and abandonment of the structures on the historical campus. She pointed out that tackling such a fire necessitates significant water resources and manpower, urging the public to steer clear of the vicinity.
While one firefighter suffered a heat-related injury and received immediate treatment from EMS on the scene, fortunately, no civilian injuries were reported, as stated by MidHudsonNews.
A bystander called 911 and first reported smoke around 11 a.m., the Times Union reported. The fire began in the old Avery building and spread rapidly to two other buildings, prompting a massive response from at least a dozen fire departments across the region.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials confirmed the campus is not connected to the electric grid.
There have been plans for years to redevelop the sprawling, 150-acre campus, but no progress has been made, according to the Times Union.
