Year in Review: Fires Destroy Acres of Forest, Damage Hudson Valley Businesses

This was the first year of Hudson Valley Post and we'd like to thank all of you for continuing to "follow the conversation" here at Hudson Valley Post.

It's been an interesting year in the local area, full of tragic murders, presidential hopefuls, fires, crashes and tales to warm the heart. Here are the stories we felt had the most impact on the Hudson Valley in 2016.

 
Devastating Fires
 

Fires in the Hudson Valley in 2016 killed at least two, shut down businesses, destroyed homes, burned through some of most scenic areas and more.

On the Fourth of July, a fire broke out a Daryl's House in Pawling. The blaze was later to be fire to have been caused by an electrical problem with the exterior lights. The fire was not suspicious in nature.

Around 600 employees at the Gap Distribution Center in Fishkill were out of work following a massive fire. A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone that has information about who’s responsible.

• Over 2,000 acres were consumed during the Sam's Point Preserve Wildfire 
• Months later, another wildfire has shut down Minnewaska State Park Preserve
• One person was injured and a Town of Poughkeepise home was severely damaged after a living room fire 
• Over 30 senior citizens were left homeless after a blaze ripped through their Carmel complex 
• Two separate wildefires consumed over 500 acres at the Harriman State Park 
• Dash-cam video captured an intense bus fire on the New York State Thruway in Ulster County
• Crews battled a blaze at Bannerman's Island
• One man lost his life after a fire broke out of his Southeast home
• Over 20 Dutchess County residents were displaced following a number of  fires
• A fire in Hyde Park nearly destroyed a home
• A blaze at the Hudson Valley Sausage Company in Highland destroyed a smoker
• Noann's Pizzeria in Poughkeepsie was completely gutted
• A man was killed in a Beekman house fire