Car Ignites After Illegal Dutchess County Brush Fire

After an illegally set brush fire spread to a car, sending it into flames, residents across the area are being warned not to burn any brush until a ban is lifted in May.

Beekman Fire Department
Photo Credit: *Beekman Fire Department/Facebook*

Kathy Reakes

04/09/2018 4:34 p.m.

The fire broke out around 12:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Sylvan Lake Road in the town of Beekman, according to Lt. Shawn Castano of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office.

An Investigation into the fire revealed that a local resident was burning brush in violation of the New York State DEC Burn Ban. The fire then spread, and the resident’s vehicle ignited and was damaged, Castano said.

Firefighters from the Beekman Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

The NYS Environmental Conservation Police responded to the scene to assist the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation. Subsequently, a 52-year-old resident was ticketed for unlawful burning during the burn ban and for an unattended burn, he added.

“Due to conditions that enable wildfires to spread so quickly, burning brush is prohibited from March 16th through May 14th”, said Castano of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Fire & Arson Investigation Unit. “All residents are reminded to comply with the burn ban to reduce the risk of damaging property or injuring others.”

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