Early Morning Fire At 28 West Church Street - What We May Know So Far

Friday morning, beginning at least at 5am according to Beacon fire officials as reported by News Channel 12, the two-family rental house at 28 West Church Street was on fire. Known for years as a house with two rental units in it, no one was in the house when it caught fire, but one apartment was rented, according to News Channel 12. No one was in the house when the fire started, as reported by the media outlets.

In the 5am hour, smoke could be seen rising from the house by neighbors blocks away. By 6:20am, flames could be seen coming off the top of the house, and reportedly could be seen from across the river in Newburgh. One reader of ALBB said that the fire could be seen from Colonial Springs. Various neighbors called 911 when they awoke and saw the flames, according to News Channel 12 and neighbors that ALBB talked to.

It is not clear if the fire started in the attic and dropped to the floors below, or where or how the fire started, with nobody reportedly being in the structure. The Beacon Police tell ALBB that this investigation is expected to take weeks. More pictures are below.

At least three fire engine companies responded to the fire, officials told ALBB: the Beacon Fire Department as the lead agency, followed by Fishkill and Castle Point. According to the Highlands Current, Glenham and Rombout fire departments provided standby-cover for the city.

By 7:20am at least, the main blaze was put out of the charred house, but embers continued to fall from the attic and second floor. Neighbors one block away on Ralph street said that ashes were falling into their yards, and they were grateful for the rainy day that made their ground and houses wet.

According to Beacon Police, the fire is under investigation, and is expected to be under investigation for a number of weeks. In the below video, flashlights could be seen searching the second floor.

According to neighbors on West Church street, the house was being renovated by an owner who was seen frequently if not daily at the house overseeing construction. According to MLS records, Joseph (Joe) Valentin, who lives locally in the Hudson Valley, bought the property in August 2022 for $700.000. According to Beacon Police, Joe was on the scene of the fire, but was talking to investigators. ALBB did not pursue, bit according to News Channel 12, he did not want to be on camera.

According to News Channel 12 and Newsbreak, two Beacon firefighters were injured after a ceiling collapsed, where one firefighter was cut with glass. According to the report, one Beacon firefighter was taken to to the hospital, and one was treated at the scene.