Two City of Newburgh firefighters are recuperating after suffering heat exhaustion during a two-alarm fire last night.
At approximately 9:00pm, the City of Newburgh Fire Department was dispatched to a smoke detector sounding at 46 Wilkins Street, which is located off Dupont Avenue. Initial reports also indicated smoke was coming from the house.
Firefighters entered the residence and found a fire in a second floor bedroom. As crews began fighting the fire, the incident commander called for a second alarm.
The Air National Guard Fire Department at Stewart Airport and the West Point Fire Department were both called to respond to the scene with additional pumpers. Shortly after, the Coldenham Fire Department was called with an additional ladder truck. These apparatus supplemented one pumper and one ladder truck operated by the City of Newburgh Fire Department.
Within a half hour, firefighters knocked down the bulk of the fire and began checking for further extension.
At the time of the 9:00pm fire, temperatures had not cooled off amid a prolonged heat wave impacting the area. The temperature at 9:00pm was 86 degrees with 65% humidity, creating a heat index value of 93 degrees.
Two firefighters were sent to hospital suffering from heat exhaustion, according to the City of Newburgh IAFF Local 589.
It is unknown if the occupants were home at the time of the fire.
The Good-Will and Cronomer Valley Fire Departments stood by to cover any other calls in the City of Newburgh.
