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State police said a preliminary investigation by federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) experts concluded the eight-alarm fire's source "was incendiary in nature" -- meaning it was intentionally set.
State police and ATF officials completed an on-site investigation of the commercial structure fire that broke out shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the GAP Northeast Distribution Center in Fishkill.
The ATF National Response Team has concluded that the fire was incendiary in nature. State police and ATF are continuing the investigation, according to this press release.
State police encourage anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact their barracks in Poughkeepsie at (845) 677-7300.
Part of the Gap clothing distribution warehouse destroyed by fire was demolished on Aug. 31 because it was at risk of collapsing, according to state police.
The rapid, engulfing blaze cost an estimated $1 million in damage, officials said. The commercial structure fire prompted the evacuation of 108 workers and injured one firefighter.
Warehouse operaiions at Gap's complex -- which includes a 990,000-square-foot warehouse called Building 2 -- was temporarily halted as a result of the fire, which was contained about four hours after it broke out by firefighters from 20 fire departments in three counties.
The Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) National Response Team, which has federal jurisdiction over fires involving interstate commerce, assisted the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control and state police.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the Gap warehouse about 10:45 p.m., authorities said.
One firefighter sustained minor cuts to his lower leg while battling the blaze, which was battled by hundreds of firefighters from Dutchess, Putnam and Orange counties.
The entire site, which employs more than 600 people and as many as 1,800 at peak distribution times, was temporarily taken "off line" because of the fire.
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