Turtles Help Hudson Valley Firefighters Extinguish Blaze

On Friday, Feb. 24, Fairview firefighters were dispatched to a town of Poughkeepsie home for a report of a fire in the basement.

Fairview fire department responded with an engine and ladder truck and the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department responded with an engine to assist. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fire that had possibly started under a turtle aquarium located in the home.

The fire had started to spread up the wall at which point the aquarium burst, dumping several gallons of water onto the flames. Firefighters extinguished the remaining flames with a hose from their engine.

No firefighters or turtles were injured in the fire which caused approximately $30,000 in damage to the home. The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department assisted on the scene.