Coldenham Fire District station destroyed in massive fire

A massive fire destroyed much of the Coldenham Fire District station in the Hudson Valley on July 28. The blaze, which began around 3:15 a.m., tore through garage bays, severely damaging the building and multiple emergency vehicles.

Five firefighters were treated and released after sustaining minor injuries or smoke inhalation. To address the loss of critical equipment and the impact of weather exposure on remaining vehicles, the Orange County Board of Fire Commissioners has declared a public emergency. This declaration allows the district to fast-track the acquisition of new apparatus and waive formal public competitive bidding processes, provided they seek competitive quotes.

Neighboring fire departments are providing equipment and assistance while the district manages the crisis. Officials estimate that recovery efforts could take between 12 and 18 months.