By Marnie Eisenstadt
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
Two firefighters had to be taken to a hospital after suffering minor injuries during a house fire Tuesday night at 521-523 Park Ave. in Syracuse.
Deputy Chief David Johnson said firefighter Derek Foster suffered dehydration and heat exhaustion, and firefighter Jim Herron suffered burns to his ear while fighting the blaze.
The fire started around 8:30 p.m. and was out about an hour later. Johnson said the house was vacant and scheduled for demolition. The gas and electricity already had been shut off, he said.
The 6,000-square-foot building was engulfed when firefighters arrived, Johnson said. It took four fire engines and several other trucks to get the fire under control.
Johnson said the cause of the fire had not been determined, but because there was no one living there, and no gas or electricity, the cause appeared suspicious.
“It probably wasn’t a bird that dropped a lit cigarette,” Johnson said.
City records show that the Victorian-style home is owned by CNY Affordable Land Inc., which owns other nearby properties as well. The home, built in 1920, was converted into eight apartment units, according to city records.