The Endicott fire chief said firefighters were lucky to unharmed after crews encountered several booby traps at a building fire early Friday.
Firefighters were called to video production business at the the former synagogue around 2 a.m. after police officers smelled smoke.
Police confirmed that the fire, set in a stairway, was intentionally set, WBNG.com reported.
"They immediately encountered a trip wire which emptied a container of gasoline. As soon as they realized what happened they vacated the building," Endicott Fire Chief Joseph Griswold told local television station WICZ. "We then tried to get into the building from the southside toward the front, they opened that door. There was also a trip wire and a 20-pound propane cylinder," said Griswold.
"If what was intended to happen had happened, there probably wouldn't be any buildings standing around there right now," Endicott Fire Chief Joseph Griswold said. "And we'd probably have a lot of dead firemen."
The fire was brought under control in 15 minutes.
Firefighters and police evacuated several nearby homes as bomb squad members investigated the premise.
"I think they want anybody in a uniform! This hits home," neighbor Larry Nelke told WBNG.com. "You think you know, whenever you see it on TV, it's somewhere else. All the sudden now, it's right here in Endicott."
Broome County Fire Investigators were called in to investigate.
