State police say Sunday night’s fires at a Fishkill apartment complex were deliberately set.
Police say seven rear/back porches, which had paper products being stored for recycling, were set on fire at three separate buildings at the Village at Merritt Park on Jefferson Boulevard around 10:30 p.m.
Crews from 20 departments helped the Fishkill Fire Department put out the flames in about two hours. There was extensive damage to one building, which contains 24 apartments.
No injuries have been reported.
The American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to 43 people. A total of 19 families were given financial assistance. The Red Cross said that additional families expect to be identified and assisted in the next few days.
State police are investigating the cause of the fires. Anyone with information is asked to call 845-677-7300.
This is the second major fire in a year at the complex. The other fire happened last August.
Officials are not saying if the fires on Sunday are connected to the fire in August, but state police are stepping up security in the area.