Wappingers Falls fire caused by sparks from grinder, ruled accidental: Investigation

A maintenance worker was working on a second-floor fire escape at 10 Market St. in Wappingers Falls before 1 p.m. Feb. 25.

The worker was using a wheel grinder to replace a section of unsafe metal. The metal and grinder discharged sparks toward the building, which included weathered wood and vinyl siding, joined by rigid foam isolation.

Those sparks, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Fire Investigation Division has determined, were the cause of a blaze that destroyed the three-story, mixed-use building that day.

The fire was ruled accidental, according to Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Adam Van Tassel, and the five-page report he received, dated May  detailing the investigators’ findings.

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The fire displaced all 32 of the buildings’ residents and four businesses; all residents escaped the three-alarm fire without injury. Residents that day watched from nearby sidewalks, many embracing each other, as thick smoke bellowed from the structure. Some made mention of seeing the worker grinding metal on the fire escape.

In the aftermath, thousands of dollars were raised through online and in-person donations, spearheaded by local restaurants and Wappingers Falls government.

According to the report, the “originated within the exterior wall of the second floor landing of the fire escape near the corner of the window” … “the most intense area of fire development and progression had occurred within the exterior wall…”

The maintenance worker reported the fire to Dutchess County’s 911 around 1:04 p.m.

The report noted there was no evidence showing the fire could have been caused by cooking equipment, electrical wiring, heating systems, cigarettes or other chemical agents.

Van Tassel said he wasn’t surprised by anything in the report.

“From what I gather, it looks pretty straightforward,” he said. “It’s kind of what we expected the conclusion to be.”

Ryan Santistevan: rsantistev@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4809, Twitter: @NewsByRyan_