Firefighters Battle Stubborn Fire in Vacant South Side Home

Syracuse, NY- On September 4, 2023, at 11:17 p.m. Syracuse Firefighters were dispatched by the Onondaga County 911 Center to investigate a report of a smoke condition in the area of Cannon Street and Webster Ave. on the City’s South Side. A ‘short telephone’ response, consisting of one engine company and one truck company was dispatched to investigate the area. While the initial companies were responding, additional information was received at 911, and the alarm was upgraded to a ‘full telephone’ response, the standard for a reported structure fire. Crews were directed to the 100 Block of West Lafayette Avenue and arrived at 162 West Lafayette Ave. moments later. They found a two-story single-family home with heavy fire blowing out of windows on the first floor and extending to the second floor. A signal ’99’ was transmitted.

 

Firefighters from the first arriving companies began to stretch hoses into the structure, and teams prepared to search the building for potentially trapped victims. However, the fire was at such an advanced stage that they were ordered out of the building within a few moments. A defensive, or ‘outside’ operation was implemented, and additional arriving companies stretched hoses to the sides and rear of the home to drown the fire from the outside. Master stream devices and aerial waterways, capable of flowing 500 to 1000 gallons of water per minute, were used to knock the fire down. Prior to setting up the defensive operation, crews were able to confirm there were no victims on the first floor.

 

The damage to the home was extensive. The intense heat and flames caused a partial collapse of the second floor of the building. Radiant heat from the fire melted siding on a neighboring home. The bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly, however firefighters spent more than 3 hours working to ensure the stubborn fire was completely extinguished. Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Firefighters also had to contend with high temperatures and high humidity. The Syracuse Fire Department Rehab Unit was brought to the scene to assist firefighters working at the scene to stay cool and hydrated and additional fire crews were brought in to assist with the later stages of the operation. The American Red Cross was also on scene providing hydration for crews during the operation. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to Fire Department personnel.

 

A total of 43 fire personnel responded to this incident, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. We thank our partners at the 911 Center, SPD, AMR, National Grid, and the Red Cross.