A fire broke out in Crumwold Hall, one of three large estates in the Town of Hyde Park, on New Year’s Day, and the estate’s 11 residents were displaced.
The fire at the historic property, located at 30 Mansion Dr., started the morning of Jan. 1 and has continued into Friday morning.
Hyde Park Town Supervisor Alfred Torreggiani confirmed there were no injuries, including the 11 people who lived in the estate, as well as first responders working to stop the blaze.
Who lived at Crumwold Hall?
Crumwold Hall has had numerous owners since its establishment in the 19th century, beginning as a privately owned farm and family estate. Since the 1980s, the mansion and 69 acres have been operated by the Millennial Kingdom Family Church.
Torreggiani noted the Millennial Kingdom Family Church is helping to house the people who lived at Crumwold Hall, who were also a part of the religious organization.
Officials ask residents to reduce water usage
By 8:09 p.m. Thursday, the fire continued to rage, nearly 12 hours after the battle against the fire began, according to an Emergency Water Conservation Advisory from DutchessDelivery and Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino.
The Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority requested customers within the Hyde Park Region Water System — including Harbourd Hills, Pinebrook Estates, Zone L and Staatsburg Water Systems — to immediately reduce water use until further notice to support firefighters’ efforts at Crumwold Hall.
Residents using water within these areas may experience turbidity and discoloration of their water, and were asked to take these conservation measures until noon Saturday:
Cause of Hyde Park fire remains unclear
As of approximately 11 a.m. Friday, the fire was still burning, but as a “controlled burn,” Torreggiani said.
Originally, it was planned that the town building inspector would go into the estate Friday morning, but as the fire continues, that has not been a possibility.
However, Torreggiani said, being in the construction business, he believes “there’s a 99% chance it’s going to be condemned.”
The conditions at Crumwold Hall were bleak, as per Torreggiani, including the use of approximately 500,000 gallons of water, or around 1,500 gallons a minute, by around 4 p.m. Thursday to control the fire. The town water towers altogether hold a million gallons, so firefighters had to decrease the number of hydrants being utilized.
Once the burn is complete and a full investigation can be done, more information will be available. As of now, it is unknown what caused the fire.
Torreggiani highlighted the cooperative work of all the volunteer Dutchess County Fire Departments at the estate, with Hyde Park Fire Department leading the effort.
“They did a tremendous job. … We have a lot of respect for them,” Torreggiani said.
“They all worked together as a team,” Torreggiani said later.
As of approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday, with the use of so much water, ice is another concern. The highway department is at the estate trying to salt as much as possible to melt it down.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Fire engulfs Crumwold Hall in Hyde Park, displacing 11 residents
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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