By Diana LaMattina
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
A carelessly discarded or dropped cigarette is being blamed for starting a fatal fire in Camillus Tuesday night, said Fairmount Fire Chief Larry Gilbert Jr., citing initial reports.
Genevieve Hergenhan, 83, was pronounced dead Tuesday night at Community General Hospital after the fire at her home, 5014 W. Genesee St.
After analyzing 911 tapes, Gilbert said, he is confident the firefighters’ response was quick and that they did everything they could.
“I have no regrets over anything that went on,” Gilbert said. “We went over it last night and discussed it this morning. There wasn’t anything we’d have done any different.”
Hergenhan, who lived alone, called Onondaga County 911 to report flames and smoke in her bedroom about 7 p.m.
Within a minute of the call being dispatched to firefighters, Fairmount Assistant Chief Scott Clarke arrived at the scene. A truck of Solvay firefighters, in the area for training, arrived about the same time, Gilbert said.
“He (Clarke) assumed command and realized there was a chance someone was still in the house,” Gilbert said.
Within six-and-a-half minutes from the time Hergenhan made the call, three Solvay firefighters found Hergenhan and removed her from the burning building, Gilbert said. Under the direction of Clarke and Fairmount Assistant Chief Jason Mallore, firefighters from Fairmount, Solvay, Onondaga Hill, Taunton, Camillus and Howlett Hill were able to extinguish the blaze quickly.
Several factors may have contributed to the fire being fatal, Gilbert said.
“The investigators are working on it and are speculating that she may have attempted to put the fire out before calling 911,” Gilbert said. “There may have been a delay.”
There were no smoke detectors in the ranch-style house, Gilbert said.
“If she was in a different room from where it started, smoke detectors would have helped,” Gilbert said. “We’re not sure of the situation; maybe she had fallen asleep.”
A wheelchair and home oxygen tanks were in the residence as well. Hergenhan was a smoker, said Camillus Police Capt. Mark Salvagni.
Gilbert said emergency responders are uncertain of the level of Hergenhan’s mobility, but that the hallways leading directly to the doorways were clear.
The fire remained under investigation Wednesday, said Mike Huppman, program assistant of the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management.
The house was boarded up Wednesday. A blue bin of recyclables still sat at the end of the driveway, awaiting pickup.
The county medical examiner’s office is investigating the official cause of death, Salvagni said.