On Monday, Dec. 23, a three-alarm blaze at a Fair Street apartment building took the life of a city resident. Their identity was not yet revealed by officials.
The emergency call came in at 10:41am, with reports of smoke emanating from a second-floor window at 165 Fair Street. While firefighters were en route, Ulster County 911 relayed critical information that the second-floor resident was unaccounted for and not responding to attempts to reach them.
Fire crews arrived on the scene at 10:45am to find smoke escaping from the second-floor window and eaves. Recognizing the urgency, command escalated the response to a second alarm as Engine 1 and 2 officers entered the building. Firefighters forced their way into the residence and discovered an unconscious man in the living room.
The victim was removed from the building by 10:49am, and Kingston medics administered hydroxocobalamin to counteract potential smoke inhalation and cyanide exposure. Advanced life support care was provided, and the man was transported to HealthAlliance-Kingston for further treatment.
Sources close to the victim told HV1 the man succumbed to his injuries.
By 10:58am, command issued a third alarm to summon additional personnel and resources to the scene. In total, 24 Kingston firefighters and the Ulster Hose Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST) responded. Crews extinguished the fire and conducted a thorough search, with no additional injuries reported.
Units remained on-site until 1:53pm to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and the building was secured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire Chief Chris Rea’s early assessment of the cause was either a smoking-related incident or a extension cord malfunction.
Rea said the building was condemned by the building department, and was unsure of how many residents had been affected. Assistance will be offered by emergency aid organizations, he added.
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