Firefighters are battling a massive fire impacting several vacant buildings at the closed Hudson River State Hospital, a former state psychiatric hospital in Poughkeepsie.

The fire began around 12 p.m. and resulted in multiple alarms. It appears that at least three buildings are on fire.

The Hudson River State Hospital was built in the mid-1800s and is a designated historic site. The hospital has been vacant for about 25 years.

According to Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, the fire is requiring a large amount of water transport and manpower due to the size, age and vacant nature of the old hospital.

The primary fire response is being handled by Fairview and Arlington. The fire drew massive mutual aid response from as far away as Ulster County.

Residents of western Dutchess, eastern Ulster and northern Putnam counties will likely smell strong smoke.

The county executive advises that those sensitive to smoke, have asthma or suffer from respiratory conditions should keep windows shut and run their air conditioners on recirculation mode.

Smoke conditions are expected cause traffic on Route 9, and drivers are recommended to avoid the area for emergency vehicles.

This is a developing story.