Sunday morning, August 15, 2021 at approximately 1:20 A.M., Syracuse firefighters were called to an apartment complex at 1312 Butternut Street, which houses approximately 48 apartments in several 3 1/2 story buildings. The first Syracuse fire units were on scene within minutes and reported a heavy fire condition and dense black smoke throughout the structure. Several of the fire building’s occupants were hanging out of multiple 3rd floor apartment windows when firefighters arrived on scene. At least 10 people were rescued out of their windows by firefighters who utilized portable ground ladders. While the exterior ladder rescues were occurring, an additional 5 people were rescued by firefighters during an aggressive interior search of the building as fire suppression crews began extinguishing the fire. One of the victims found during the interior firefighting operation was an unconscious adult who was carried out of the building by firefighters.
Due to the severe fire conditions and the number of people trapped inside, a second alarm was transmitted and over fifty firefighters were brought to the scene. Firefighters and paramedics evaluated and treated all of the rescued citizens at the scene, and several were transported to the hospital. The citizens rescued by firefighters ranged in age from a 1-month-old infant to several middle-aged adults. Their conditions are not currently known.
AMR, National Grid, the Syracuse Police Department, and 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.
