Wappingers Falls fire: Demolition of destroyed building could begin this week
John W. Barry Poughkeepsie JournalPublished 2:57 PM EST Mar 2, 2020
Demolition of the Wappingers Falls building destroyed in a fire could begin this week, according to Mayor Matt Alexander.
And a firefighter who was taken to Vassar Brothers Medical Center after suffering from smoke inhalation remained hospitalized on Monday, said Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Adam Van Tassel. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Nearly a week after the Feb. 25 blaze destroyed the building at 10 Market St., displacing 39 residents, the fallout continues to unfold.
Alexander in a press release issued Monday said Jeffrey Knipe, the owner of the building, and his contractor, expect to secure a demolition permit from the village on Tuesday and “demolition could begin this week.” Knipe and the contractor met Monday with Wappinger Falls Building Inspector Bryan Murphy to discuss the demolition and maintenance of the site.
Alexander also met with Knipe and his contractor.
“We discussed the desired outcome of the project and stressed that the property must be maintained until it is rebuilt,” Alexander said in the press release. “The owner does intend to rebuild. He will meet again with the village to discuss his plans for the future.”
The fire did not injure any residents of the building, which had 10 apartments and four retail spaces. Many of the displaced victims have remarked on the depth of support they’ve received in the wake of the tragedy.
Thousands of dollars have been raised and distributed to the victims. There have also been donations of clothing, toiletries, furniture and food, from individuals and businesses. Numerous fundraising raffles based in area restaurants are ongoing.
“There are too many efforts to acknowledge here, but they are all greatly appreciated by the victims of the fire and by village officials,” Alexander said in the release.
Van Tassel said on Monday that the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Several residents had previously said they saw welding work being done on a fire escape around the time of the fire and have cast blame there. Town of Wappinger Supervisor Richard Thurston confirmed last week that this is one theory under investigation.
Van Tassel had said the fire originated outside the building and began on the second floor.
Dana Smith, commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, said last week investigators have collected anything they would need before the building is demolished.
John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJoPublished 2:57 PM EST Mar 2, 2020
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