Syracuse, N.Y. – At 7:48 P.M. Friday March 25th the Syracuse Fire Department was called to 708 James Street for a possible structure fire. The initial report was that a fire alarm had activated. However, the response was upgraded after several people called 911 and indicated that smoke and flames were coming from an apartment window. The first fire companies were on scene in just three minutes. Because of the size of the building and the volume of smoke & fire that crews encountered upon arrival, the incident commander requested a second alarm, which brought a total of 50 firefighters to the scene.
The 3-story building contains more than seventy apartments. Crews immediately began working to extinguish the flames while searching all areas of the building for trapped or endangered occupants. Many of the residents were able to self-evacuate, but at least two had to be rescued via ladder by firefighters. Four civilians were evaluated by paramedics at the scene, and two were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions are not currently known.
The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes. However, it took more than an hour for firefighters to search the building and clear all of the smoke. National Grid, the Syracuse Police Department, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross also responded to the incident. Members of the Fire Investigation Bureau are currently working to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
