Firefighters in Geneva quickly contained a fire Friday morning at a multi-family apartment building on Pulteney Street.
According to the Geneva Fire Department, crews were called to a reported structure fire at about 6:19 a.m. at 211 Pulteney Street, a 14-unit apartment building.
Fire Chief Del Parrotta, Deputy Chief Michael Bucklin, and Assistant Chief Dan Gallagher directed operations at the scene. Two engine companies, a ladder company, and the rescue squad responded.
Firefighters began an aggressive interior attack while ladder crews conducted ventilation and exterior operations. Members of the Black Diamond Rescue Squad carried out a primary search for occupants and checked for fire extension.
Officials say the coordinated response brought the fire under control in less than 10 minutes. The fire was contained to the living room of the apartment where it started, preventing significant damage to the rest of the building. In total, 38 firefighters responded.
One tenant was taken to Geneva General Hospital for evaluation of possible smoke inhalation. Finger Lakes Ambulance provided medical standby and transported the patient.
About 10 residents were temporarily evacuated while firefighters ventilated the building and confirmed conditions were safe. Most residents were able to return to their apartments within about an hour, although two residents remain displaced until repairs are completed to the affected unit.
Geneva Police assisted by securing the scene and directing traffic. South Main Street traffic was briefly affected while fire hoses were stretched across the roadway during firefighting operations.
Following the incident, city code enforcement officials issued a vacate order for Apartment 14 because of smoke damage. The tenant may retrieve personal belongings but cannot occupy the unit until repairs are completed and the apartment passes reinspection.
Several mutual aid agencies assisted with the response, including the White Springs, West Lake Road, and Border City fire departments. The Ontario County Emergency Management Office, the Ontario County Sheriff’s 911 Center, and Finger Lakes Ambulance also provided support.
Fire Chief Del Parrotta praised the coordinated effort of responding agencies, saying the quick response helped contain the fire to the room where it started and likely prevented more serious damage to the building.
The property was turned back over to the landlord, and the scene was cleared around 9:30 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
