Syracuse Firefighters Respond to a House Fire on the West Side

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On April 7, 2023, at 9:59 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 center, to a reported structure fire at 114 Coykendall Avenue, on Syracuse’s West Side. The first firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and reported heavy black smoke was showing from the first floor of the home. A ‘Signal 99’ was transmitted, indicating a working structure fire.

A Syracuse Police Unit nearby also responded when the call went out. The SPD officer was the first on the scene and was able to relay to fire units that there was a working fire. The officer then used a stairway unaffected by the fire to alert the occupants of the second floor apartment and assisted them in evacuating.

 

An aggressive interior attack was initiated. The fire was located in the rear portion of the first floor. The first companies to enter the building faced high heat conditions and pitch-black smoke. As fire began to impinge on a neighboring home, hoses were used from outside to prevent the fire from spreading. Houses on both sides of the fire building were also evacuated as a precaution.

 

The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours overhauling the building, checking for extension, and ventilating the structure. The fire was determined to be caused by a candle in a first-floor bedroom. All occupants of the first and second floor were able to evacuate safely. One civilian was evaluated by medical personnel on scene but was not transported to the hospital. There were no injuries reported to firefighters on the scene. The structure sustained significant smoke, fire, and water damage. In total 10 occupants were displaced. The American Red Cross was on the scene assisting the displaced occupants.

 

Fourty-four fire personnel responded to this fire from six different City firehouses, including command and support staff. In addition to Syracuse Police, Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded. We thank our partners at SPD, Onondaga County 911, AMR, National Grid, and the Red Cross.