Five people were displaced after a fire heavily damaged a two-story apartment building and spread to a neighboring residence Saturday morning in Syracuse.
The Syracuse Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 10:52 a.m. on July 4 to 1023 Lodi Street following reports of a house fire with possible occupants trapped inside.
Firefighters from Station 2 arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the two-story building and immediately declared a working fire.
Crews stretched hose lines and launched an aggressive attack while search teams entered the building to look for anyone still inside. Although initial reports suggested occupants might be trapped, firefighters confirmed that everyone had escaped before crews arrived.
The fire spread to the neighboring home at 1021 Lodi Street, requiring additional firefighters to contain the flames and protect the adjacent structure.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 20 minutes and fully extinguished it approximately 50 minutes after arriving.
The primary building contained four apartments. Fire officials said the second floor and attic sustained extensive fire damage, while smoke and water damage affected the first floor. A second-floor apartment in the neighboring building also suffered fire damage.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the five residents displaced by the fire.
One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for evaluation of a heat-related illness. No civilian injuries were reported.
Fire investigators determined the blaze originated in the bedroom of a second-floor apartment. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters remained at the scene for more than four hours conducting overhaul operations and assisting investigators.
