Vigilant Neighbors Helped NY Crews Save Burning House

June 16, 2021
Quick action by neighbors, who immediately called 9-1-1 after a vacant house caught fire, allowed Syracuse firefighters to keep flames from destroying the structure.

SYRACUSE, NY—Firefighters arrived at a vacant Syracuse house on Tuesday in just over two minutes after several neighbors reported it was on fire, according to fire officials.

The fire was reported at about 4:40 p.m. in the 300 block of Gertrude Street, Deputy Chief John Kane said at the scene.

About 30 firefighters responded to the call to find heavy fire on the first floor of the multiple-family home, Kane said. Fire crews were able to put out the fire in less than thirty minutes and no injuries were reported, he said.

Kane said no one was found inside the abandoned house. Fire crews had to use caution while searching because of possible holes in the floor, he said.

Kane said the structure was likely saved because of the quick action of neighbors who reported the fire.

The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation, Kane said.

Syracuse police, AMR, National Grid and the American Red Cross were also at the scene.

Syracuse police cruisers blocked traffic from Gertrude Street is between Fountain and Oak streets.

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