Fire destroys Livingston business, residence

LIVINGSTON — A charter bus company garage and several attached apartments were destroyed in a fire Friday night.

More than 30 fire departments assisted in battling the blaze.

The fire was reported at 10:45 p.m. Friday at 1637 County Route 31, Livingston, in a bus garage at Cramden Coach charter bus company.

The structure was fully involved when first responders arrived on the scene and had spread to neighboring apartments. Both the commercial building and the attached apartments are owned by the Amrod family, according to state police.

Mutual aid was requested and firefighters from over 30 fire companies in Columbia, Greene and Dutchess counties responded.

Several people were treated for smoke inhalation, state police said.

Firefighters fought the blaze with temperatures in the single digits, which created icy conditions at the scene and on the roads.

Crews were on the scene for four hours, and smoke could still be seen coming from the structure at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Route 9 and County Route 31 were closed at the height of the fire. Route 9 was re-opened several hours later, however County Route 31 remained closed over 12 hours after the fire was first reported, while firefighters from several companies continued to work.

State police and Northern Dutchess Paramedics were also on the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by local, county and state officials.

The Red Cross sent volunteers to the scene and is assisting the victims.