Syracuse Sun

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 6:31 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported structure fire at 625 Lemoyne Avenue on the city’s North Side. Responding promptly, firefighters from Station 2 on Lodi Street arrived on the scene two-and-a-half minutes later and reported heavy smoke emanating from the second floor of the one-and-a-half story home. A signal 99 was transmitted, indicating a working fire.

As additional units arrived on scene, teams of firefighters stretched hoses into the building while other teams began methodical searches of the structure for any trapped victims. Upon reaching the second floor, they encountered intense heat and smoke. Despite blinding conditions, firefighters managed to position hoses and extinguish the flames. The search revealed that all occupants had managed to escape before the Fire Department's arrival.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes. Subsequently, firefighters transitioned to an overhaul operation involving opening holes in walls and ceilings to check for hidden fire spread and extinguishing hotspots as needed. To vent trapped heat and smoke, a hole was cut in the roof of the building.

After approximately 40 minutes, the fire was declared out. The home suffered significant damage due to fire, smoke and water on its second floor. The first floor also sustained smoke and water damage. It was reported that there were no working smoke detectors in the home when the fire occurred.

Syracuse Fire Investigators determined that an unattended candle in a second-floor bedroom caused the fire. Three people were displaced by this incident but received assistance from Red Cross; no injuries were reported among civilians or Fire Department personnel.

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 American Red Cross also responded to the scene. The Fire Department expressed gratitude towards their partners at the 911 Center, SPD, AMR, National Grid, and Red Cross.