Ten people were displaced Monday afternoon by a fire at a two-apartment home in Syracuse.
Firefighters were called to 228 Elk Street at approximately 12:13 p.m. and arrived to find smoke coming from the rear of the two-and-a-half-story building.
Crews entered the first floor, where they encountered heavy smoke and moderate heat. Firefighters found flames at the rear of the house that had spread through a wall cavity to the second floor.
The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes and fully extinguished after about 30 minutes. Firefighters opened walls to locate hidden flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
Searches of the building confirmed no one was trapped inside. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
The rear of the building sustained fire damage on the first and second floors, while smoke damage was reported throughout the rest of the structure.
Ten residents from the building’s two apartments were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
Syracuse fire investigators determined the fire was accidental. It began on the first floor at the rear of the home and was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.
Crews remained at the scene for more than an hour to check for hidden fire and assist investigators.
