Fire ravages Joseph's Steakhouse in Hyde Park, kills dog

HYDE PARK - Flames spouted from the roof of Joseph's Steakhouse as multiple fire departments battled a two-alarm blaze that destroyed the restaurant Monday afternoon.

Though the restaurant was closed at the time, the fire resulted in the death of a dog, which lived in an apartment above the restaurant, as well a minor injury to one firefighter.

Owner Joseph Wilson said it's unlikely he'll ever reopen the eatery, but was thankful to have escaped the blaze.

"I was in my office when I heard the explosion from the kitchen," said steakhouse owner Joseph Wilson, who was the only person inside. "I'm lucky to be alive right now."

Reports of the explosion came in to the Roosevelt Fire District around 1:55 p.m., according to Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Scala. The fire was under control by 3:40 p.m.

Scala said "nothing I've seen suggests that" it's suspicious. The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

The building sustained visible damage to the roof and the back of the structure. Part of a wall at the back of the building appeared to have collapsed.

Thick waves of smoke emanated from the building as firefighters sprayed water down from the ladders of their trucks.

Wilson said he had called someone to check on an "odor that smelled like propane" coming from the kitchen.

While the resident of an apartment above the restaurant was out when the explosion happened, the resident's dog was killed in the fire, Wilson said.

"The poor girl who lived upstairs lost her dog," he said. "I feel sorry for her."

Joseph's Steakhouse opened in 2011, according to the restaurant's Facebook page. The restaurant offered Italian cuisine and traditional steakhouse fare.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene, Scala said.

Route 9G was blocked off between St. Andrew Road and Cronk Place Road in Hyde Park. Highway officials anticipated the road being closed until at least 9 p.m.

The Fairview Fire District, the Hyde Park Fire Department, the Poughkeepsie city Fire Department, the Arlington Fire District, the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, the Staatsburg Fire Department, Mobile Life Support Services, Dutchess County Mobile Life Support Services, Central Hudson and Hyde Park police also assisted at the scene.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW