The Monday evening after Thanksgiving, Peter and Ruth Robillard were inside their home watching a movie when Peter heard a popping sound outside, and ran out to find his front porch on fire. At 7:13 pm, first responder units were dispatched "for trees on fire next to the residence," according to the Beacon Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3490 via their Facebook page. The couple got out of the home safely, and a fundraising page has been set up in their name, collecting over $8,000 so far from 109 people.

According to The Beacon Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3490, less than 2 minutes later, the first to arrive found a large blaze on the front of the house, with the fire reaching into the porch area and inside the home from the brush near the sidewalk.

"A second alarm was transmitted at 7:17 pm by Assistant Chief Lahey, which provides for station coverage and a callback of off-duty firefighters for assistance," according to The Beacon Professional Firefighters. At the scene were Career Firefighters, an Interior Volunteer Firefighter, and three Exterior Volunteers.

Beacon was also assisted by the Village of Fishkill, initially as FAST (Firefighter Assist and Search Team). They were used to assist with overhaul and ensuring that the fire was out. At 7:54 pm, the fire was declared under control, and the salvage and overhaul process got under way. By the end of the incident there were approximately four interior, four exterior, and four fire police volunteers, according to The Beacon Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3490 Facebook page, all of whom left by 11:08 pm.

From the Beacon Professional Firefighters: "Due to the fast actions by the Career Firefighters on the initial responding units, the fire extension and water/smoke damage was limited to a portion of the house. Remember, the Beacon Career Firefighters are dedicated to your safety 24/7."

You can donate to the Beacon Fire Department by responding to mailings that go out, and by purchasing a Christmas tree from their lot near Dogwood at 60 East Main Street. Donate to the Robillard Family by clicking here.