The iconic Pines Hotel, a once-glamorous destination from the Borscht Belt era, was devastated by a major fire that broke out early on Tuesday afternoon. The Fallsburg Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 4:06 p.m. after receiving reports of a structure fire at the long-abandoned hotel, which spans 96 acres.
Upon arrival, fire personnel confirmed visible smoke and immediately called for a second alarm, mobilizing additional resources from fire departments across Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties. According to the Fallsburg Fire Department’s press release, the blaze was intense enough to require the use of an excavator to help contain it as multiple structures across the property became engulfed.
The Pines Hotel, which closed its doors in 1998 after decades of financial hardship, was a hallmark of mid-20th-century entertainment. During its prime, the hotel hosted stars like Buddy Hackett, Robert Goulet, and Tony Bennett, drawing tourists with attractions that included a theater, nightclub, poker rooms, and indoor and outdoor pools.
By Tuesday afternoon, firefighters remained on-site, working to fully extinguish the flames, which have significantly damaged several of the complex’s structures. Fallsburg officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the fire.
“We appreciate the rapid response and assistance from our neighboring fire departments,” said the Fallsburg Fire Department in a statement.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO by Woodridge Fire Department