Local Volunteer Firehouse to Close

One of Kingston's three volunteer firehouses is set to close at the end of March. The 19th century building will be going up on the auction block according to the Daily Freeman.

The fate of Rapid Hose 1 was determined last year when former Kingston mayor included funds in the city budget to put the firehouse up for sale. The building is in the Rondout district of the city. The company itself only had two active members who will be transferred elsewhere. While there are 21 volunteer firemen in Kingston, there are 70 on the city payroll.

The building itself was built in 1861, but Rapid Hose 1 has been around since 1860 and were the oldest volunteer fire company in Kingston having just celebrated their 150th anniversary a few years ago.