More than 50 senior citizens were forced to find alternate housing after an early morning fire Friday at the Bishop Hubbard Senior Apartments on Katherine Drive.
The fire in the two-story, L-shaped senior apartment complex started in an electrical distribution box in a utility room on the second floor, said Ed Tremblay, Saratoga County’s fire coordinator. There were no injuries.
The residents were promptly evacuated from the building after the 3:55 a.m. fire.
The fire was in the building’s main electrical panel and distribution conduits, Tremblay said.
“It’s going to take time to repair. They have to order a new panel,” Tremblay said.
Residents were evacuated with the help of the Halfmoon Fire Department, state police, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the town’s senior center bus. The residents were taken to the Halfmoon Senior Center on Lower Newtown Road.
Members of the fire department were able to return to residents’ apartments and remove medications needed by the residents.
“They did a fantastic job with this fire,” Tremblay said about the Halfmoon firefighters, who were assisted by firefighters from West Crescent, Hillcrest and Clifton Park.
Tremblay said the fire was starting to get into the building’s attic, but the firefighters made a quick stop and saved the building from major fire damage.
Once the fire was out and the building declared secure, residents were able to return to their apartments and remove clothing and other materials they will need while the electrical systems are repaired and they are in alternate housing. Due to the nature of the fire, it is estimated that it may be a week before power is completely restored at the facility, according to a Red Cross statement.
The American Red Cross Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter responded and has a reception center open for those affected by the fire.
Approximately 51 adults were displaced by the fire. Red Cross Disaster Action Team members are working with the facility’s management team and local fire departments to assess the needs of the tenants. Once the needs of the tenants have been properly determined, the Red Cross will work with local agencies to provide proper accommodations until the damage is fixed and power is restored.
Tremblay said he understood more than 10 people needed alternate housing as of Friday afternoon. The others were expected to stay with relatives or friends.
The Red Cross provided lunch for the local responders and residents and staff of the apartment complex on Friday.
Categories: Uncategorized
