Syracuse, NY– On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 3:31 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted to a possible structure fire at 101 Oakley Drive East, in Syracuse’s Valley Neighborhood. Firefighters from Station 18, on Midland Ave., arrived on the scene moments later and reported a large amount of fire showing from the attached garage of a one-story ranch home. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted and crews went to work to extinguish the flames.
The first arriving firefighters connected to a nearby hydrant and stretched hoses to the house. Other teams of firefighters prepared to search the home for any trapped occupants. As the first crews made their way into the structure, additional units arrived at the scene. Additional hoses were stretched, and additional search teams joined the effort. The bulk of the fire was located in the attached garage, and crews started there, extinguishing a large volume of fire. Other crews moved inside to attempt to cut off the flames that were spreading into the first floor and attic space from the garage. The bulk of the fire was knocked down after approximately 10 minutes. Searches were negative; all the occupants were able to escape prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. Crews shifted to an ‘overhaul’ operation, checking for hidden fire spread and putting out hotspots. The fire was declared out after approximately 40 minutes.
The home suffered extensive fire, smoke, and water damage throughout the garage, as well as part of the first floor and attic. Three occupants were displaced by this fire. They are being assisted by the Red Cross. Syracuse Fire Investigators were at the scene working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. That investigation is ongoing. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to Fire Department personnel. A pet cat was still unaccounted for at the time of this release.
A total of 38 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.
