Syracuse, NY- On Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 6:38 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 center to a report of a possible fire at 911 Park Avenue, on the City’s West Side. Firefighters from Station 5, on North Geddes Street, arrived on the scene just over two-and-a-half minutes later, to find a two-and-a-half story, wood-frame home with nothing showing from the exterior.
As the first arriving crews began to investigate, they were met by the occupant of the second-floor apartment, who directed them to the second floor, reporting that there was fire in a light fixture there. As crews stretched a hose to the second floor and continued to investigate, they encountered light smoke, and could see what appeared to be a fire in the fixture. When they reached the attic, to investigate there, firefighters encountered smoke and fire. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted.
Additional crews arriving at the scene immediately went to work moving hose lines into the building to put out the fire, and searching the entire home for any possible trapped victims. All searches were negative; all occupants of the home were able to escape prior to fire department arrival. Through the quick work of all involved, the fire was confined to the space between the second floor and attic, where it began, as well as a portion of the attic above the fire.
The fire was declared out after approximately 40 minutes. The second-floor apartment and attic suffered fire, smoke, and water damage. The first-floor apartment also suffered water damage. A total of three occupants were displaced by this fire; they are being assisted by the Red Cross. Syracuse Fire Investigators have determined that the fire started in a light fixture on the second floor, and spread to the attic, due to an electrical issue. There were no injuries reported to civilians, or to firefighters at the scene.
A total of 39 Fire Department 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.