The Walden Fire Department, with assistance from several local fire departments, responded to a structure fire at 31 Bank Street in the village last Tuesday, April 29, at 12:55 p.m. The crew arrived on scene at 12:56 p.m. in their first car and 1:06 p.m. in their first engine, coming face-to-face with flames that ravaged the corner of a 25-by-30-foot house. Firefighters used three hoses to extinguish most of the fire within 30 minutes, then climbed to the building’s roof to handle the fire in the attic. By 1:56 p.m., the fire was under control; no civilians or firefighters were harmed, but three pets perished.

Walden Fire Chief Charles McNeely stated that the cause of the fire was accidental and likely began outside. The fire first spread to both floors of the house, then the attic, causing severe damage to the building’s rear end and smoke and heat damage to the rest of the structure.

Mutual aid comprised engines from the Coldenham FD, Cronomer Valley FD, Maybrook FD, Orange Lake FD, and Wallkill FD; a ladder from Montgomery FD; search assistance from the City of Newburgh FAST Team and Valis Gate FAST Team; and standby support from the Plattekill FD and Pine Bush FD. The Walden FD also received assistance from the Orange County Fire Investigation Team, NYSEG, Town of Montgomery EMS, and Walden Building Inspector Robert Wallner.

The fire displaced a family of nine, including a dog and cat, and a family of seven, destroying most of their belongings. Both families have received emergency assistance from the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, including financial support, health services, personal care kits, and stuffed animals for the children. Additionally, village residents have joined together to donate clothing, money, gift cards, books, and toys to these families.

For monetary donations, visit the Turner Family’s fundraiser at gofund.me/f9ff2ffe and the Singh Family’s fundraiser at https://gofund.me/d39003d0. Alternatively, residents can reach out to Brenda Adams at 845- 978-3743.

For other donations, residents can drop off items at the Walden Police Department; the donations must be bagged and should be labeled with the respective family names. Donations for the Singh Family should be placed on table #1, and donations for the Turner family should be placed on table #2. For a full list of items that both families need, refer to Walden Mayor Becky Pearson’s Facebook page.