FIRE AT THE OLD DUTCH CHURCH At ten minutes past twelve o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday, January 18th, 1857, our Fire Department was called out by the City Hall bell. At this hour, the wood work at the base of the steeple of the First Reformed Dutch Church, was discovered to be on fire. Our engine was immediately run to the hydrant at the North West Corner of Main and Washington Streets and within five minutes after the alarm was given we had a stream on the fire, taking water through the connector and throwing through feet of hose. The whole Department was promptly on the ground, and were thus stationed by the Chief Engineer. Engine No. Two took the hydrant in front of George Clerk's Grocery and played on the fire. No. Three wa,s supplied by the hydrant on the corner of Main and Market Streets. No. Six took the hydrant in front of Doty's Hotel (Forbus House) and played into No. Four, which laid in Union Street alongside of the Surrogate's Office. No. Four had her stream on the fire. No. Five was run up to the hydrant on the corner of Washington and Lafayette Streets, but the hydrant was found to be frozen. About half an hour after the alarm was given, the steeple fell on the roof of the church. The Department was dismissed after some three or four hours of hard work, but was again called out about half past five o'clock as the fire had broken out afresh. Our Engine was not called into service at the second alarm. No's. Two and Five were at work until about ten o'clock, with a stream each on the fire. The other Engines were not used. This fire will long be remembered by the firemen of Poughkeepsie on account of the intense cold. At the time the alarm was given the thermometer was twelve degrees below zero and the wind blowing from the North almost a gale. A large number of our firemen suffered from the effects of the severe cold, and frozen feet, frozen ears and frozen fingers were plenty for some time after. A violent snow storm commenced shortly after the second alarm which added much to the labours of our friends who were on duty at that time. The loss is estimated at from $10,000. to $15,000. The insurance was $6,000., of which $3,000. was in the Poughkeepsie Mutual and $3,000. in, the Continental Insurance Company of New York. Augustus T. Williams, Secretary, Protection Engine Co. No. One. Minute Book. 78
Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 056 1971
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