SOUTHERN DUTCHESS

Firefighters save popular boardwalk at Madam Brett Park

John Ferro
Poughkeepsie Journal
Firefighters battle a blaze at an abandoned factory at Madam Brett Park in the City of Beacon on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017.

Firefighters battling a massive blaze at Madam Brett Park in Beacon were able to keep the fire from damaging a popular boardwalk.

The fire consumed one of the abandoned factories at the former industrial site along the Fishkill Creek. The boardwalk provides access to parkland owned by Scenic Hudson.

The effort began at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, when firefighters responded to reports of an explosion on Route 9D in Dutchess Junction, a short distance from Madam Brett Park, according to Beacon Chief Gary Van Voorhis.

While they were there, firefighters received reports from Beacon police that one of the factories was burning.

Van Voorhis said the fire had been undetected and burning for some time.

Indeed, dispatchers from across the Hudson River in Newburgh "were calling in the fire," Van Voorhis said.

The chief said firefighters battled the blaze for three hours. There were no injuries.

"We did keep the fire from burning an adjoining warehouse" connected to the boardwalk, he said.

A boardwalk runs along the Madam Brett Park trail in Beacon.

"Scenic Hudson is very grateful for their swift action," said Rita Shaheen, the nonprofit's director of parks.

Van Voorhis said the cause is under investigation. He declined to speculate whether the fire was intentionally set.

He said firefighters were unable to determine whether there had been an explosion.

"It could possibly have been the roof or the floors collapsing," he said.

Firefighters from Glenham and the Village of Fishkill assisted at the scene.

Standby assistance was provided by the Rombout and Hughsonville departments.

John Ferro: 845-437-4816, jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com, Twitter: @PoJoEnviro