The Village of Wappingers Falls fire department is still investigating the cause of a four-alarm fire that ripped through a three-story building at 10 Market street Tuesday afternoon.
"We had a couple of small rekindles this morning due to the interior collapse of the building. It's hard to get really down deep to the seat of the fire where the smoldering is," said Village of Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Adam Van Tassell.
Firefighters quickly doused those remaining hotspots as village officials worked to determine if the building needs to come down. That, officials say, is up to village engineers.
None of the residents were hurt in Tuesday's fire, but several pets were killed. One firefighter is still being evaluated for smoke inhalation and the Red Cross provided support and temporary housing to the 32 tenants forced from their homes.
"A lot of that is that emergency needs so lodging, clothing, food just so they can start getting all their emergency needs covered," said Kelly Formoso, the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Just down Market Street, Cafe Con Leche lent a hand by serving free meals to victims and first responders beginning late Tuesday.
"We started frying our empanadas and making pots of rice and pork chops and things like that to feed the first responders," said Phil Cordero, owner of Wappingers Falls restaurant Cafe Con Leche. "It's who we are; what we do isn't so much about the money, it's more about the community."
The mayor says it's just one way the tight-knit village is coming together.
"What we're most heartened by is our own community and the people who care about our community from all around who've gathered around in true Wappingers Falls' style to come out for us in a big, big way," said Mayor Matt Alexander.
If you'd like to donate to the victims of this fire you can click here. For more information on how to sign for the Red Cross' free smoke alarm program click here.