Syracuse (NY) firefighters responded to a fire that ripped through a vacant home in the city’s Washington Square neighborhood.
According to release from the agency, on November 8th, 2022 at 5:04 p.m., Syracuse Fire Department units were alerted by the 911 Center to a possible fire near the intersection of Lemoyne Ave. and 2nd North St. Firefighters from Station 2 on Lodi St. arrived in under three minutes to find a two-story, wood-frame house with a walk-out basement in the rear. They noted dark, turbulent smoke coming from all openings in the structure.
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Firefighters quickly determined there was fire in the basement and began a fire attack via the basement stairs. They were met by heat as they searched for the fire, eventually being forced out of the house. Firefighters began a defensive attack to lower heat and fire conditions, then transitioned back to an interior, offensive attack. Crews resumed searches for victims in the house and worked to control the fire with attack handlines, overcoming challenges from heavy clutter and structurally compromised floors.
Due to the conditions in the basement, crews could not secure power to the house at the circuit breaker. Instead, National Grid linemen cut the house’s service drop from the utility pole. Firefighters extinguished fire in the basement and throughout the house.
Firefighters then searched for hidden fire through the structure. Opening walls and ceilings to find hidden fire with hand-tools is a labor-intensive job. Two additional engine companies were called in to rotate crews out of the house. Crews were cycled through rehabilitation, coordinated with AMR ambulance, to check vital signs, hydrate and rest to ensure firefighters remain as effective as possible on scene.
Crews remained on scene ensuring complete fire extinguishment for hours. The fire is under investigation by Syracuse Fire investigators. The house has been unoccupied since May, and no injuries were reported.
