Firefighters Stop Fire in Pond Street Apartment

Firefighters Stop Fire in Pond Street Apartment

Published on August 06, 2024

Syracuse, NY- On Friday, August 2^nd, 2024, at 2:41 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported structure fire at 405 Pond Street on the City's North Side. As fire units responded, Fire Control reported multiple callers indicating a fire. Syracuse Police, arriving at the scene, also reported an active fire. Firefighters from Station 2, on Lodi Street, arrived on the scene less than two minutes later and found a three-story, multiple-apartment building with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear. A signal '99' was transmitted.

The initial arriving crews were familiar with the fire building, having responded there in the past for various types of other alarms. After a quick size-up of the scene, crews entered the building in teams, dragging hoses and preparing to search for any trapped occupants. The first due companies made their way to the source of the fire, as additional units arrived at the scene. More teams began systematically searching the large structure as additional hoses were moved into the building.

Crews were met by searing heat and thick black smoke on the second floor as they began to apply water to the fire. Firefighters with a separate hose line were able to get to the third floor and cut off the fire spreading there. Once the initial fire was knocked down, crews began to open holes in walls and ceilings, checking for hidden fire spread. Searches of the structure were negative. All of the occupants were able to escape prior to the Fire Department's Arrival. The fire was brought under control after approximately 10 minutes. Following an extensive overhaul operation, the fire was declared out after approximately 80 minutes.

A second-floor apartment suffered severe fire, smoke, and water damage. The rest of the building also suffered smoke and water damage. Syracuse Fire Investigators were at the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. That investigation is ongoing. The first floor of the building contained a convenience store, with apartments above. At least 2 people were displaced by this fire. They were being assisted by the Red Cross. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to Fire Department personnel at the scene.

A total of 42 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.

• Syracuse Fire News