House a Complete Loss Following East Division Street Fire

Published on May 22, 2024

Syracuse, NY- On Wednesday, May 22, at 12:38 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported structure fire at 634 East Division Street on the City’s North Side. Firefighters from Station 2 on Lodi Street arrived on the scene moments later and found a two-story house that was fully involved with fire. Crews reported heavy fire showing from the first floor, second floor, and roof of the structure that was known to be vacant. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted. Due to the advanced stage of the fire and concerns over the structural integrity of the building, crews immediately initiated a defensive exterior operation.

The first arriving fire companies connected to a hydrant and began to deploy ‘master stream’ appliances, capable of flowing 500-1000 gallons of water per minute, to dowse the flames from the exterior. As additional units arrived at the scene, they connected to additional hydrants in the area to ensure enough water for the operation. Crews positioned on all four sides of the building and continued to flow water. Radiant heat from the intense flames threatened neighboring homes.  Rescue crews worked to evacuate occupants from homes on either side of the fire building. Crews used elevated waterways, capable of flowing 1000 gallons of water per minute, to fight the flames from above.  Additional fire companies were called to the scene to assist with extinguishment. Firefighters spent nearly five hours working to bring the fire under control.

The home suffered extensive, severe fire, smoke, and water damage to all floors. It is considered a total loss. The structure was vacant at the time the fire occurred. Syracuse Fire Investigators were at the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. That investigation is ongoing. Crews remained on the scene for nearly five hours. Firefighters from across the city were brought in to assist with picking up hose as operations concluded. A rehab sector was established to monitor firefighters at the scene and ensure they remained hydrated due to high temperatures and humidity. CENTRO provided a bus that crews used as a cooling station while recovering. There were no injuries reported to civilians or Fire Department personnel.  

Over the course of the entire operation, 60 Fire Department personnel, including command and support staff, responded to this incident. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, CENTRO, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. We thank our partners at the 911 center, SPD, AMR, National Grid, CENTRO, and the Red Cross.

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