Syracuse, NY- On June 7, 2023, at 10:57 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 center to a possible fire at 633 East Seneca Turnpike, on the south side of the city. Engine Company 18, from the Midland Ave station arrived on the scene moments later to find fire showing from a vent for an air conditioner on the first floor of the two-story apartment building. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted, and firefighters went to work to put the fire out.
Firefighters stretched hoses into the first floor of the building and were met by thick black smoke and heat. Other teams of firefighters began searches of apartment 6, where the fire was located, as well as the apartment above, to look for any trapped victims. The searches were negative. All occupants were able to safely escape prior to fire department arrival. The fire was quickly knocked down, containing the damage to the apartment of origin.
Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The apartment of origin, on the first floor of the building, sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. Thanks to a quick stop by firefighters, damage to the rest of the building was limited. Four occupants were displaced by this fire. The American Red Cross was assisting them. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to fire personnel. The fire took 30 minutes to fully extinguish. Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately two and a half hours, clearing toxic smoke and fumes from the building, and assisting with the origin and cause investigation.
A total of 37 fire personnel responded to this fire, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to this fire. We thank our partners at the 911 center, SPD, National Grid, AMR, and the Red Cross.