Syracuse, N.Y. – At 7:21 P.M. on Friday December 17, the Syracuse Fire Department was called to 613 Otisco Street for a reported fire in a vacant house. The first units were on scene in just two minutes, and found heavy smoke issuing from the rear of the building. Flames were extending from the first floor into the attic area. The structure was in very poor condition, and it was determined to be too dangerous for firefighters to enter. Incident commanders made the decision to battle the fire from the outside.
It took more than 30 minutes to fully extinguish the flames. None of the neighboring homes were damaged, and no injuries were reported. The Syracuse Police Department, AMR, and National Grid also responded to the scene. Members of the Fire Investigation Bureau are currently working to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Fires in vacant structures can be very dangerous. These structures pose unique risks due to poor structural integrity, decay, damage, and accumulations of trash and debris. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments in the U.S. respond to an average of 30,000 fires per year in vacant properties. Approximately 4,500 firefighters are injured annually at these incidents.
