Crews Battle Massive Brush Fire At Popular Upstate Hiking Area
BEACON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Firefighters were still putting out hot spots Tuesday following a damaging brush fire in the northern suburbs.
In all, 150 acres were burned and 11 cars were damaged beyond repair. One woman told CBS2's Tony Aiello she watched the flames creep very close to her home.
"The worst was when the fire actually came right up onto the lawn," Connie Hogarth said.
The brush burned and Hogarth watched concerned, but also convinced Dutchess Junction and other firefighters had the threat to her home on the Hudson River under control.
"I must say these firefighters are just the most magnificent people. They are just extraordinary," Hogarth said.
Pictures show the glow reflecting off the river as Breakneck Ridge blazed. It's a popular hiking area straddling Putnam and Dutchess counties.
The flames came within about 15 feet of Hogarth's big propane tank. Volunteer firefighters spent long hours hosing the area down to keep the tank from blowing up.
Cars parked near the Metro-North tracks along the Hudson were not as lucky. Aiello found what was left of one SUV at Cervone Auto Body, which towed eight vehicles, including Matt O'Rourke's sedan.
"We got about halfway up to the first peak, started smelling smoke and we turned around. And below us could see smoke coming up, so we were a little concerned about that," O'Rourke said, adding when asked how much losing his car hurts, "It hurts a lot [but] it's a material thing. I can replace that. I can't replace a life."
Metro-North is investigating whether a diesel engine pulling a work train may somehow be linked to the fire, which started near the tracks before it jumped across Route 9D and crept up into the hills.
As flames continued to burn Tuesday, a chopper was on patrol, looking for additional hot spots.
Metro-North said none of its equipment was damaged. Local officials believe dry, windy conditions on a warm day, coupled with the winter's lack of snowfall, contributed to the problem.
