‘Suspicious’ Apartment Fire in New York Displaces More Than 20 Residents

Fires at an apartment complex displaced more than 20 people on Sunday night, with authorities saying the blaze was suspicious and appeared to have been started in the recycling bins left on back porches.

This is the second fire to break out at the apartment complex in Fishkill in eight months, though authorities said they did not know if the two fires were connected, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported.

The recycling on seven porches was set on fire in three buildings, causing the residents of one building to be displaced, the newspaper reported. No one was injured in the fire on Sunday, Capt. John Ryan of the state police said.

“What would motivate someone to do this is unclear at this time, but we will be working tirelessly to find out who did this and why. The community can expect to see a higher police presence in the area,” he said.

A fire on Aug. 31 damaged buildings at another part of the apartment complex. Village of Fishkill Fire Chief Daniel Burke said he did not know if the fires were connected, the newspaper reported.

Firefighters from 20 departments aided in putting out the fire, he said.

The Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross assisted 24 adults and two children, ages 10 and 16, with financial and emotional assistance, the newspaper reported.

Fishkill is located about 12 miles (19.31 kilometers) south of Poughkeepsie.