Fire damages Newburgh building; cause believed to be accidental
Officials say someone inside initially tried to put the fire out. When it got too big, they ran to a store nearby to call for help.
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A fire left behind extensive damage to a building in Newburgh. The owners say they are devastated.
It happened Saturday afternoon on Broadway near William Street.
"It was pluming pretty big up that way, you could see it from all the way down the road," says Newburgh resident Troy Melendez.
A man who works nearby says he smelled smoke. When he walked around the corner, he saw flames shooting out of the building.
"The flames were coming out of the back, the front they were able to come down the fire escape," says a local business owner.
Officials say someone inside initially tried to put the fire out. But when it grew too big, they ran to a store nearby to call for help.
Emergency crews from several surrounding agencies rushed over.
"The efforts were severely hampered by the amount of personal belongings and debris in the apartment. It was hoarding conditions," says City of Newburgh Fire Chief F.J. Spinelli.
Eventually, the fire was knocked down but emergency crews say the heat Saturday didn't help.
Seven firefighters ended up needing medical attention, mainly for symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Officials say no one was seriously hurt.
However, we're told the damage inside is extensive. Several people who live there can't immediately come back, according to officials. The owners of the building say they are devastated and are trying to help those residents in the meantime.
Officials believe the cause of the fire is accidental.
