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A Syracuse firefighter was hospitalized following a challenging house fire on Bellevue Avenue in Syracuse on Tuesday (April 14). The Syracuse Fire Department reported that the fire broke out around 1:03 p.m., with initial reports suggesting someone might be trapped inside. Upon arrival, firefighters faced intense heat and heavy smoke.
Despite the difficult conditions, all occupants were accounted for, and crews were ordered to evacuate the building. The fire, which started on the first-floor porch, took approximately two hours to extinguish, with firefighters remaining on the scene for over four hours. More than 40 firefighters underwent medical monitoring due to the heat, and one firefighter was taken to Upstate University Hospital for heat-related injuries. The firefighter's condition remains unknown.
The fire resulted in significant damage to the home, particularly around the front entrance, where most windows were broken out and the roof was cut into for ventilation. The cause of the fire remains undetermined as the porch's structural integrity prevents a thorough investigation.
The fire displaced three residents, who are now receiving assistance from the Red Cross. No other injuries were reported. The fire department closed Bellevue Avenue from Clairmonte Avenue to Dudley Street during the incident. Fire crews began leaving the scene around 5:30 p.m.