Beacon Firefighters Describe How They Attacked The Fire At 9 Alice Street; Community Responds With Support; Donation Directions
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Eugene (Gene) Murphy, who died in the fire at his home of 9 Alice Street, Beacon, NY.
The Beacon Fire Department issued a Press Release describing how they attacked the fire at 9 Alice Street to battle it. ALBB reported on this fire the day after here.
Of the 4 people inside during the fast moving blaze, one was not able to escape. He was identified as 81 year old Eugene (Gene) Murphy, who lived a long life within the City of Beacon, worked for the City of Beacon for 30 years, and served in part as its Highway Department Supervisor. The community of Beacon have been deeply mourning and sharing memories of him on each publishing of this news at any social media post, blog post or newspaper post.
Beacon City School Superintendent Matthew Landahl emailed district families to say that Gene’s great-grandson, Markus Louis (10th grade) lived in the home with Gene, along with Markus’ grandmother (Gene’s daughter), who suffered burns, Patrick O’Dell reported, who is a friend and “Dutchess County Scanner Feed” moderator.
Gene Murphy's 54 year old son who is described as "severely physically handicapped" was also inside, but did escape the blaze without any serious injuries, Patrick said. He also reported that Gene’s 42 year old grandson was living with him to assist family members in the home, but was not in the house during the fire.
The family lost all of their possessions, including their home and car. Markus suffered serious burns all over his body, and remains in the hospital at Westchester Medical, his cousin, Patricia Murphy, confirmed to ALBB. She said that Markus is in critical but stable condition.
Donation Link
A donation link has been started for the family by Patrick, which has so far raised over $50,000. The GoFundMe page is here. Patrick stated that getting the funds from GoFundMe can be slow at first for immediate needs like clothing and hygiene items. Gift Cards dropped to the Beacon Public Library front desk during their open hours. More details on what items of clothing are needed have been posted below. Scroll down for sizes.
How The Firefighters Fought The Blaze
All of the following photos are screenshots from the video made by Ed Heegan, a Peer Support Specialist with Guardian Revival, whose office is located in the Veterans Memorial Building on Main Street. Guardian Revival is a local non-profit improving health & wellness for Military, Veterans & First Responders. Follow Ed at @edwoodstock.
Photo Credit: Ed Heegan
According to the Fire Department’s Press Release, fire was billowing from the front of the house when the Beacon Fire Department arrived. Three vehicles in front of the home were also on fire. Patrick O'Dell said that at least one of those vehicles was the family's main mode of transportation. It was completely destroyed.
At that point, a second alarm was requested for backup mutual aid. Castle Point Fire Department, (Engine Truck), the Village of Fishkill Fire Department (Ladder Truck) headed in. As is protocol to a fire alarm, the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BVAC), the City of Beacon Medic 1 (Ambulnz, the private ambulance company the City contracts and pays, unlike volunteer based BVAC who didn't get paid for years), and the City of Beacon Police Department were in pursuit of the fire.
“While fighting the fire, 4 City of Beacon Fire Department members and 2 Castle Point Fire Department members sustained minor injuries.”
"City of Beacon Engines 33-15 and 33-16 arrived simultaneously and began a transitional attack," the Press Release says. "The deck gun from Engine 33-16 was used to knock down the fire on the front of the house while firefighters stretched an attack line to a door on the porch of the #4 (northeast) side of the structure. Firefighters gained entry into that side door and were met with heavy fire conditions inside."
Photo Credit: Ed Heegan
From the pictures, the right side of the house was not completely charred, but the left side was. "While fighting the fire, 4 City of Beacon Fire Department members and 2 Castle Point Fire Department members sustained minor injuries," according to the Press Release.
Beacon's City Administrator Chris White was on-site the morning after the fire at around 8:15am, and the Press Release states that the City of Beacon Building Department condemned the house at 9 Alice Street. The neighboring house at 15 Alice Street sustained some damage from heat radiating from 9 Alice Street.
Photo Credit: Ed Heegan
During their first search for victims, firefighters did not see anyone on the first floor of the house when they began knocking down the fire. They moved to the second floor to knock down more fire. It was when the Beacon Fire Department and Castle Point Fire Department headed back to the first floor to ventilate it, that they found a deceased person in the living room, who would become known to be Eugene (Gene) Murphy. They covered him with a blanket and tarp while "conducting an overhaul and extinguishing hot spots throughout the structure."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division and City of Beacon Police are investigating with "the assistance of the Fire Department personnel."
Clothing Needed For the Family
Patrick has been coordinating financial, clothing and hygiene donations.
“Unfortunately, due to physical disabilities, what can be worn by 2 of the family members is pretty limited. I do not want to see so many wonderful & caring people tear through all their clothing for things that cannot be used,” Patrick instructed.
“The GoFundMe is great, but their policies hold the funds from going to the family for several days. Thank you to everyone in advance and for all that has been done. The family cannot thank and show the appreciation of everyone enough.”
The clothing list is below. Please keep in mind that people who have lost everything are in shock. They need casual clothes, but also want to feel good. Lots of underwear and socks would be needed, as doing laundry is hard. Consider giving Visa gift cards of cash to be spent anywhere if you are able. If donating your own clothes, please wash them first.
“They are working on getting everyone into temporary emergency housing hopefully that will happen soon,” Patrick said.
CLOTHING MATCHING WHAT CAN BE UTILIZED LISTED BELOW, GENERAL PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS & GIFT CARDS*** FOR THE MURPHY FAMILY CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE:
Howland Public Library
313 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Drop during business hours: until 5:30pm today (Friday), 10:00am-4:00pm tomorrow (Saturday) CLOSED Sunday. And then the open hours for the following days.
Gift card/Financial can be brought to the front desk. Any are appreciated!
Ocean State Job Lot, Wal-Mart are the best because they have everything. Any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Patrick.
Men's:
-X-Large Pants sweat/jogging
--Large Shirt
Women’s:
***---WOMEN'S size 10 or equivalent undergarments and everyday clothing
****----WOMEN'S size 10 sneakers
Men's:
--Medium athletic type shorts NO jean shorts
--Large Shirt t-shirt/sweatshirt
---Medium underwear
---Men's size 10-WIDE sneakers
Men:
-36x32 Jeans
--X-Large T-shirt/sweatshirt
---Large underwear
----Men's size 11 workboot
***Socks, normal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, towels, wash cloths, laundry detergent), etc. to help get through
