NY FFs Hampered by Commuters Driving Over Hoses

    April 29, 2022
    While Cicero Fire Department firefighters battled a massive fire in a mattress store, rush-hour commuters continuously ran over their hoses.

    By Anne Hayes

    Source syracuse.com (TNS)

    Anne Hayes/TNS
    Brewerton Road was filled with emergency vehicles while firefighters worked to knock out the flames.
    Brewerton Road was filled with emergency vehicles while firefighters worked to knock out the flames.

    Cicero, N.Y. — A fire at a mattress store in Cicero prompted a massive response and disrupted the morning commute Friday.

    Local commuters also caused problems for firefighters as they worked to knock out the blaze quickly.

    Around 7:24 a.m., a passerby reported smoke coming from Factory Direct Matteress Makers of Syracuse at 7919 Brewerton Rd., Cicero Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Perrin said.

    When firefighters arrived they saw active flames in the entryway and ceiling of the mattress store, Perrin said.

    Additional police units were requested to control traffic because drivers in the neighboring commercial plaza were driving over hose lines while crews were fighting the fire.

    “I am not sure why they kept running them over and would not let us do our job,” Perrin said.

    Anne Hayes/TNS
    Firefighters worked to knock out the fire at the Mattress Makers of Syracuse Store on Brewerton Road Friday morning.
    Firefighters worked to knock out the fire at the Mattress Makers of Syracuse Store on Brewerton Road Friday morning.
    Despite the impediments, they were able to knock out the majority of the fire in about 5 minutes, he said.

    They were able to contain the damage to the ceiling and entryway of the building.

    No one was injured, he said. The business was closed when the fire was reported and the building was empty.

    Fire investigators had just begun assessing the damage around 8:15 a.m., Perrin said. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.

    Brewerton Road was completely shut down between Hogan Drive West and the neighboring commercial plaza.

    Several curious commuters pulled into neighboring plazas to see the reason for all the commotion while others took photos and videos of the massive response.

    Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at [email protected].

    ©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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