Syracuse Fire Responds to 300 Block of Douglas Street

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On October 27, 2022 at 3:29 p.m., Syracuse firefighters were alerted by the 911 Center to a possible house fire in the 300 block of Douglas Street. 911 callers reported a woman and children were possibly still in the house. Due to the seriousness of the initial information, incident commanders added an additional Engine crew to the dispatched units. Firefighters from Station 9 (Shuart Ave) arrived in under three minutes to find a two-story, wood-framed, single-family residence with heavy fire consuming the entire front of the house and spreading to the sides. There were also wires that had fallen in the front yard. Firefighters simultaneously began aggressive fire attack and searched the building for victims. Ladder 4 firefighters located and quickly removed one victim from the house. Engine 9 firefighters initiated medical care and rode with American Medical Response (AMR) paramedics with the patient to University Hospital.

Firefighters continued fire suppression and searched for other victims. None were found. During this fire attack, one firefighter fell through the steps of a stairwell, but before he fell all the way down, he was grabbed and pulled out of the hole by his partner.

Crews remained on scene extinguishing hidden pockets of fire. In total, 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including command and support staff. There were no injuries to firefighters. We thank our partners at the 911 Center, AMR, Syracuse Police, National Grid and the American Red Cross for their assistance at this structure fire.

Sadly, the victim removed by firefighters from the fire did not survive their injuries and was pronounced at University Hospital after resuscitative efforts, according to the hospital. Victim information is being withheld at this time while Syracuse Fire Investigators are actively investigating this fatal fire.