Register-Star
COLUMBIA COUNTY, N.Y. — Columbia County fire departments have been busy so far this morning with two fires in two different locations, according to Columbia 911.
Stockport Fire District responded at 8:01 a.m. to a call about a fire at 40 Pat’s Lane in Stockport this morning. There was a report that a woman, later identified as Kristen Kyle Clause, was trapped on a balcony.
She made it out safely by leaping into the arms of waiting firefighters.
According to Stockport Assistant Fire Chief Randy Plass, he and fireman Paul Van Allen caught Clause and rushed her to their car to keep her warm. She had escaped her apartment without shoes or a coat as smoke rapidly filled the room she had been in.
Clause, interviewed at the scene, said the smoke moved in so quickly she couldn’t “breathe or see” and couldn’t go back in to save her cat. The cat was later found and removed from the building, but despite efforts by rescue personnel, the cat died.
Clause credits the firemen with saving her life and thanked them for catching her.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen.
Stottville, Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Falls and West Ghent fire departments and the Valatie Rescue Squad were also dispatched to the scene. The Red Cross also responded.
At 7:53 a.m., the Hudson Fire Department responded to 334 State St. for a report about a fire. Catskill Fire Department was placed on stand-by. Greenport Rescue Squad was also dispatched.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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