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A fire severely damaged the historic Crumwold Hall in Hyde Park on Thursday (January 1), forcing 11 residents to evacuate. The fire, which started on the ground floor of the 74-room mansion, burned for hours, drawing firefighters from across New York and Connecticut. All residents escaped without injury, although a police officer had to rescue one person from a first-floor bathroom.
The Crumwold Hall, built in 1889 for Archibald Rogers, has been home to the Millennial Kingdom Church since the 1980s. The mansion, designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, is a significant part of Hyde Park's history. Firefighters worked through difficult conditions to control the blaze and protect nearby homes. The American Red Cross provided temporary shelter and assistance to the displaced residents.
According to Daily Voice, the fire does not appear suspicious, though the cause remains under investigation. Fire crews stayed on site overnight, awaiting safer conditions for forensic experts to begin their investigation.
News 12 reports that the town building inspector plans to visit the site to assess the damage. Community members expressed gratitude to the first responders for their efforts during the holiday.