Syracuse, NY- On September 28, 2023, at 8:33 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a report of a possible fire in an apartment at 1741 West Onondaga Street. Firefighters from Station 3, on Bellevue Avenue, arrived on the scene moments later and reported smoke coming from the front of the building. As additional units arrived on the scene, the crew from Engine 3 dragged a hose inside and discovered an active fire on the second-floor of the three-story, multiple occupancy apartment building. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted.
Firefighters arriving on the scene heard calls for help from the third-floor balconies of several apartments. The occupants of the third-floor, cut off from the stairs by the thick smoke and heat coming from the fire on the second floor, were trapped. A second alarm, bringing additional firefighters and resources to the scene, was called for. As teams of firefighters made their way into the fire in the apartment to put water on the flames, other teams of firefighters raised ladders from the ground to the waiting occupants. Teams inside the building found their way to the balconies to assist the occupants onto the ladders as smoke billowed around them. Firefighters were able to guide the trapped occupants safely down the ladders to waiting EMS crews, where they were evaluated and treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes, however firefighters remained on the scene for several hours, clearing smoke and toxic gases from multiple apartments throughout the building. At least 4 occupants, from multiple apartments, were displaced by this fire; they were being assisted by the Red Cross. Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene and were able to determine that the fire started in the kitchen of a second floor apartment, due to unattended cooking. Occupants did report that they were alerted by working smoke detectors in the building. Three occupants were evaluated and treated at the scene for symptoms related to smoke inhalation, but were later released. There were no injuries reported to firefighters.
A total of 47 fire personnel responded to this incident, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. We thank our partners at the 911 Center, SPD, AMR, National Grid, and the Red Cross.