Syracuse, NY- On Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 8:01 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were dispatched by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported fire alarm activation at 215 University Place, Syracuse University’s Newhouse Complex. A Short Telephone alarm, consisting of one engine company and one truck company, along with a District Chief, was dispatched to investigate. Firefighters from Station 1 on S. State St. arrived on the scene moments later, to find an audible alarm going off in the building. Firefighters were met on the scene by Syracuse University Fire Safety representatives, and they began to search for the source of the alarm activation. After several minutes of searching, firefighters were alerted to a possible smoke condition in Newhouse Building 1.
As they entered the area crews encountered thick, black smoke, a telltale indication of a working fire. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted, and additional crews responded to the scene. As additional units arrived, firefighters inside located a fire in a first-floor classroom. Teams of Firefighters immediately began to connect their hoses to the buildings standpipe system, to get water to the fire, while other teams began to search the area for any trapped victims. The main bulk of the fire was extinguished as incoming crews began to check the rest of the building for fire spread, or any occupants in danger. Damage from the fire was contained to the first-floor classroom of origin, however smoke filled the hallways on several floors. Firefighters began an extensive ventilation operation, to clear the building of trapped smoke, and stop it from spreading further.
Representatives from Syracuse University Facilities and Maintenance, Fire Services, and Public Safety were on the scene as well, helping to coordinate efforts to clear the smoke, and return the building to normal operation. Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire, both are still under investigation. Several people were in the building when the fire occurred, all were able to safely evacuate. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to fire department personnel.
A total of 43 Fire department personnel responded to this incident, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, and American Medical Response responded to the scene as well. We thank our partners at the 911 center, SPD, and AMR, as well as the staff and representatives of Syracuse University who helped to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.