Local Officials Warn of Space Heater Dangers After Heartbreaking Hyde Park Fire

Fire at Crumwold Estate in Hyde Park

Around 10:52 am on January 1st, 2026, the Hyde Park Police Department shared that there was an "active fire department/emergency personnel activity in the area of 30 Mansion Drive."

At the time the roadway near the area was closed and residents were asked to avoid the area to give first responders time and space to operate safely.

Read More: Historic Crumwold Estate Fire Displaces Residents In Hyde Park

Later that morning we learned the fire occurred at the Crumwold Estate, which is home to the Millennial Kingston Family Church.

Thankfully, there were no injuries but several families were displaced due to the fire.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino shared a bit of the buildings history, explaining that the Crumwold Estate "is a cornerstone of Hye Park's heritage." It was built back in 1889 for Archibald Rogers and was designed by Richard Morris Hunt.

Serino writes:

 It has stood for over 130 years as a testament to the Gilded Age grandeur of our county, and seeing it in this state today is truly heartbreaking.

 

Officials Warn of Space Heater Dangers After Crumwold Fire

After the flames were knocked down, we learned that the Crumwold Estate fire was caused by a space heater.

Sue Serino wrote in a Facebook statement that her number on priority is keeping families safe. While it may cost less to use a space heater to keep your home warm,

Serino writes "the stakes are incredibly high." During the winter months, space heaters are the leading cause of home fires.

In her post, Serino highlighted several space heater safety tips.

• The 3-Foot Rule: Keep anything that can burn; blankets, curtains, paper, or furniture, at least three feet away from the heater.

• Plug it Straight into the Wall: Never use an extension cord or power strip. These can overheat and cause a fire.

• Never Leave it Unattended: Turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Level Ground: Place the heater on a flat, hard, non-flammable surface (never on carpets or furniture).

Adirondac Boat Fire

In early December 2025, a luxury cruise ship on Lake George burst into the flames.

A cause for the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports detailed Christmas lights and a space heater being used on the boat.

READ MORE: The Adirondac Set to Return to Lake George in 2026 After Fire

The Adirondac is part of the fleet at Lake George Waterfront Marina and can carry up to 400 passengers. While no one was hurt during the fire, the damage was significant.

Lake George Waterfront Marina, however, shares that the boat will cruise again in 2026, just without it's third deck.