MECHANICVILLE -- Four families, including several children, were forced from their home this morning as fire consumed a two-story apartment building at the corner of Grove and Cypress streets.
Two firefighters had minor injuries fighting the blaze.
``My guys fought hard to bring this under control,'' said city Fire Chief Bob Palmieri. ``But with the roof and the chimney collapsing, it was hard.''
The fire was reported at 6:43 a.m., and an off-duty firefighter, Capt. Bruce Lynch, who lives across the street, was alerted by smoke alarms going off. The chief said Lynch ran there and checked to be sure everyone was out.
Palmieri said the Saratoga County Cause and Origin Team and city police, are investigating the cause of the fire, which began in a second-floor apartment. He would not comment on speculation that a child playing with a lighter started the fire.
Firefighters from several surrounding departments were still at the scene this afternoon checking for hot spots in the walls and pulling paneling down on the second floor. Above them, a pile of rubble still smoldered on the attic floor.
The American Red Cross was called to assist residents who did not have a place to stay.
The chief said this is the fourth major fire this year in the city. The city department has already had more than 90 calls.
``It's not one thing. It's a string of bad luck,'' Palmieri said.
One of the firefighters suffered a minor burn on the back of his hand, and a second firefighter was treated by an ambulance crew at the scene for high blood pressure, according to the chief.
