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N.Y. firefighters treated for heat-related injuries during 2 fires

Four Syracuse firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries, three hospitalized, while battling their second blaze in an hour during extreme temperatures

By Jon Moss
syracuse.com

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Four Syracuse firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries Monday while responding in extreme heat to a blaze on the city’s North Side, officials said.

Three of the firefighters were taken to the hospital, according to Lt. Erik Caster, a fire department spokesperson. One was treated by paramedics and later released.

Further information about the condition of the other firefighters was not immediately available.

The firefighters were injured as the fire department responded to its second fire in an hour.

That blaze was reported at 11:05 a.m. at a small apartment building at 601 Highland St. on the North Side.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the attic, Caster said. It took about 30 minutes to put out a fire between the second-floor ceiling and the attic.

Multiple people were home at the time of the fire and were alerted to it by other residents, Caster said.

One of the apartments was damaged by smoke and fire, he said. Other parts of the building sustained damage. Multiple people were displaced.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by an undetermined electrical malfunction, Caster said.

Extra precautions were taken to try to prevent crews from becoming overheated or dehydrated, Caster said. They included rotating in fresh teams, as well as providing additional rest periods and additional hydration.


Maintaining proper body temperature, even when fighting fires, is important for overall health and safety

The earlier fire was reported at 10:05 a.m. at 474 E. Seneca Turnpike on the city’s South Side.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the back of the house and the roof when they arrived, Caster said. It took about 20 minutes to put out the fire in the home’s kitchen.

The home was not occupied at the time of the fire.

The kitchen was damaged by the fire, Caster said, and other parts of the house sustained minor smoke and water damage.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by unattended cooking, he said.

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