A Monday night fire destroyed the Ancram home of Kristy and Ronan Moloney, displacing the family, killing several pets, and prompting a swift wave of support from neighbors, local officials, and friends who have begun raising money to help the family recover.
The fire was reported at 7:27 p.m. April 6 at 200 Wiltsie Bridge Road, according to David Boice, chief of the Ancram Fire Company. The Moloneys’ two daughters were inside the house when the fire broke out, while Kristy and Ronan Moloney were outside doing evening chores at their family horse boarding and training business. All four family members escaped safely, but the family lost nearly all of its belongings. Several pets, including a cat, hamster, and two fish perished in the fire.
Boice said units from Ancram and Taconic were initially dispatched, with additional mutual aid called in as the blaze intensified. By the height of the response, he estimated, close to 60 people were involved, including firefighters from Ancram, Pine Plains, Millerton, Taconic, Hillsdale, Copake and Craryville. Other departments provided standby coverage elsewhere while crews remained at the scene.
“We got the call. It was 7.27 p.m. Monday night,” Boice said. “Units responded. We were on the scene in under 5 minutes.”
By the time firefighters arrived, the house was already heavily involved, Boice said. Though the main body of fire was knocked down quickly, crews remained on scene until about midnight extinguishing hot spots and securing the property. The cause remained under investigation as of Thursday and is not believed to be suspicious.
“In less than 6 minutes, from the time of the call, to when we arrived, this house went from smoke in the structure to fully involved,” Boice said. “People do not understand the speed that fire progresses.”
In the days since the fire, Moloney said, the family has still been trying to absorb the scale of the loss while staying with neighbors and figuring out what comes next. “Shock has taken over,” she said.
Support from the community began almost immediately. Even before firefighters had left the scene, a neighbor drove to Hudson to gather basic necessities for the family.
“Even as the fire was burning, um, a neighbor down the road took off to Hudson and got us all sorts of supplies, so that even before the fire was out, they had bags of clothes, so that we had pajamas and toothbrushes and things to put on,” Moloney said.
The Moloneys, who operate Kinnitty Capall Stables, a private horse boarding and training business in Ancram, said their stables were not damaged in the fire. The family is now staying with neighbors as residents organize ways to help them secure temporary housing, replace essential items, and begin rebuilding.
That effort has taken shape both through local donations and through a GoFundMe campaign that had raised more than $100,000 as of Thursday.
“It is truly touching to see everyone come together. Over the past few years, Kristy and Ronan have become family to me. I started this fundraiser because this family means so much to me and to our entire community. They have always been the kind of people who show up for others without hesitation, and in a moment of unimaginable loss, I felt it was important that we show up for them,” Anna D’Armiento, who organized the fundraiser, said.
Ancram Town Supervisor Colleen Lutz, who is also a member of the volunteer fire department and responded to the call, said the loss has reverberated across the town.
“We’re greatly saddened by the loss of the Maloney’s home,” Lutz said. “They are good people, members of our community, they have a thriving business within our community, and we just really want to help them in every way that we can to start to rebuild. It’s a sad thing for all of us in the town.”
Boice said the response also reflected the strength of the region’s volunteer fire network.
“I want to thank every company and every person that came out that night, everybody did an exceptional job,” he said. “And we appreciate everybody’s assistance and help and effort.”
For Moloney, the days since the fire have been marked not only by devastation, but by the kindness of the response around her and her family.
“Just want to express my gratitude,” she said. “I feel more hope and love than I do sorrow and despair.”
Those wishing to support the Moloney family’s recovery may donate through a GoFundMe campaign created on their behalf. Cash or check donations are also being accepted in person at the Ancram Little Store and through the Ancram Fire Company. Checks may be made payable to the Ancram Fire Co. and mailed to P.O. Box 8, Ancram, N.Y. 12502, with “Moloney Family” in the memo line.