For More Information Contact:
Captain John Watterson
(845) 486-3860
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports responding to a structure fire in Red Hook during the early morning hours of 11/30/13, during which a Sheriff’s Deputy and a Red Hook Firefighter rescued a disabled man from the building.
The Sheriff’s Office and Red Hook Fire Department responded to 7351 South Broadway in Red Hook at approximately 4:35 am on 11/30/13 for a report of a structure fire. The structure is a commercial building which contains a laundromat, and the fire was discovered in the area of a dryer. Upon the arrival of the Deputy and firemen the owner of the building/laundromat, Joe Colburn, was still inside the building (upstairs) and was unable to get out due to a disability. Mr. Colburn resides in an apartment above the business. Deputy Russell Seymour and Red Hook Asst. Chief Michael Lane then immediately entered the smoke-filled building, located Mr. Colburn, and carried him out of the building to safety.
Deputy Seymour and Asst. Chief Lane put their personal safety aside and entered the building to help someone in need, and if it had not been for their efforts the situation could have turned out very differently. Both men deserve recognition for the outstanding job they did to bring Mr. Colburn to safety during a very dangerous situation.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the damage to the structure was minimal due to the quick efforts of the Red Hook Fire Department. The Sheriff’s Office and Red Hook Fire Department were assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, and the Rhinebeck and Tivoli Fire Departments. More information may be released as it becomes available.