Syracuse, NY- On July 11, 2023, at 9:57 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a possible fire at 213 Miles Avenue in Syracuse’s University Neighborhood. Firefighters from Station 10, on East Genessee Street, arrived on the scene moments later to find a two-and-a-half-story single-family home. Firefighters began investigating the scene and were directed by an occupant to the basement. As they stretched a hose into the building to search for potential fire, they were immediately met with a moderate to heavy smoke condition, and a signal ‘99’ was transmitted.
The fire was determined to be in the basement. As crews made their way down the basement stairs to fight the flames, they were met by a fireball coming up the stairs. The regulator on the natural gas meter in the basement had failed due to damage from the fire, and leaking natural gas was ignited. A safety device on the regulator activated, preventing a much larger problem. Crews quickly regrouped and made a push into the basement. They were able to secure the gas leak and knock down the flames. Additional teams of firefighters checked the rest of the home for fire extension and searched for trapped victims. This process was slowed by cluttered conditions throughout the home.
The fire took approximately 20 minutes to extinguish fully. Searches for victims were negative, and the fire did not extend past the basement. The basement of the home sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. The rest of the home was filled with smoke, but other damage was minimal. Firefighters used fans to clear the remaining smoke and toxic products of combustion from the home. Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene working to determine the cause of the fire.
One occupant was home when the fire occurred. That occupant was able to escape before the fire department’s arrival. The occupant was evaluated at the scene by medical personnel for smoke inhalation but declined further treatment or transport. The fire displaced a total of three occupants. The Red Cross was on the scene assisting them. There were no injuries reported to fire department personnel.
A total of 42 fire personnel, including command and support staff, responded to this incident. Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded. We thank our partners at the 911 Center, SPD, AMR, National Grid, and the Red Cross.