By Kenneth C. Crowe II and Bob Gardinier
The Times-Union
RENSSELAER, N.Y. — Three retirement home residents were displaced by a smoky fire Tuesday afternoon that injured two firefighters and forced the evacuation of more than 100 people, city fire officials said.
A chaotic scene unfolded Tuesday afternoon on the front lawn outside Renwyck Place on Fourth Avenue as emergency workers tended to residents.
Many residents left the building in wheelchairs and were being given oxygen because of breathing problems caused by the smoky conditions.
It appears no one in the six-story complex was seriously injured, said Assistant Police Chief James Frankoski.
The residents were taken by bus to the Rensselaer City School District campus where they were fed and treated, said Assistant Fire Chief Phil Smith.
The Rensselaer County Health Department responded to the high school to assist in aiding the residents, county officials said.
By 7 p.m., most of the residents were headed back home. Three residents found shelter with friends or relatives due to smoke damage to their apartments, Smith said.
Frankoski said the fire began in a second-floor apartment and sent smoke billowing into the building’s east wing. It was brought under control quickly.
About 100 to 200 residents of the east wing were evacuated. Officials said those living in the west wing remained in the building.
“The fire was put out quite quickly,” Smith said.
One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and a second firefighter received stitches for a hand injury, Smith said. Both were treated and sent home.
A Rensselaer city school bus and senior citizen buses ferried the residents to the high school, which is air-conditioned, according to John Mooney, school board president.
The Rensselaer Fire Department was assisted by the Clinton Heights, Defreestville and East Greenbush fire departments. The American Red Cross and Rensselaer County agencies also helped out.
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