Return to Citizen Homepage
Incident location
Fire
2Videos
22Radio Clips
143Reactions

Heavy Fire in Abandoned Building

70 Central Ave, Central Avenue, Albany

Published · Updated

Archived

Watch Live Videos

Download Citizen
Video 1
Video 2

Summary

  • Firefighters responded to a fire in an abandoned building on Central Avenue in Albany, leading to road closures and the evacuation of nearby residents. One person was evacuated from an adjacent building.

Timeline

Firefighters on the roof are securing their equipment as the fire is now under control.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:07
Companies on the roof. Roof companies, you can pull up your line, pull up your rope. Got it, thank you.

Firefighters are adjusting their approach to access the third-floor porch roof more effectively.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:13
Command in the pocket, if you could lower your pocket and go to the, underneath the roof, or the roof of this third floor porch, and pull from there, it might be easier. Received.

The fire is now under control, according to firefighters on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:08
Received. You can put the fire under control. Received. Fire is under control at 70 Central Avenue at this time, 2305.

Fire units have identified fire extension in the porch overhang and are backing away from the unsupported area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Command in the roof. He's standing towards the rear. Get him to the center of the building again. We're backing up now. Past the rear porch is clear. We do have extension in the overhang of the porch. We just opened it up. Okay, there's still a guy standing over the unsupported porch. You guys can't listen. I'm going to call you off the roof. My apologies, Chief. We're backing up now. Do you need anything else while we're up here? Negative. Dispatch command, be advised, 30-minute time check.

Crews are addressing a fire in the porch area, coordinating with command on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:09
Alright, we're with the command. Chief, the clock off proper is clear. We do have fire in the porch area. We're working on that now. Okay, received.

Firefighters are requesting additional equipment to the roof to assist with their operations.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
roof to command. Command's off. Chief, in the D5 lot, we're going to drop a rope. Could you send up the wood from Truck 3, please? Yeah, stand by.

Firefighters are advised to avoid the unstable dormer porch roof at the rear of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:25
Roof to command. I also have Truck 3 operating with us.109 to you members on the roof, on the very rear, that dormer porch roof is very unstable. Don't stand on that. Alright, Roman, how far back is that going before it becomes a building? 72, roof company. Where that skylight is, where that opening, that's the end of the roof line. Alright, received. Thank you.

Firefighters are opening up the roof to check for fire extension.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Roof to command. Standby one. Companies in the rear, don't operate that hand line into the basement. Received. Last unit on looking for command, go ahead. Roof to command, Chief. Truck 1, we're up here now. Do you have some extension through the scuttle? We'll be opening up shortly. We're in the rear. It's sound. Received. Companies in the rear, go ahead. You can operate that hand line now. Commit, uh, engine 7.

According to firefighters, they accessed the basement, reported light smoke, and coordinated efforts to clear the area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Okay, received. 70 Command, we've found access to the basement of the main fire building through the rear. Okay, received. What are the conditions of the basement? Light smoke in the basement. We're going to stick the 2 1⁄2 in there. Okay. Just be careful. There's companies working their way through it now. 301 to Command, I've made my way into the basement through the front door, beneath the stairs. I have light smoke. I can hear those guys working from the back. Give me a minute to clear before they charge the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have one line in operation at the rear, with most of the fire knocked down. Crews are addressing a small flame on the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Dispatch to command, 15-minute time check. Received. Quick update, we've got one line in operation in the rear. Companies are searching for the basement still. Looks like the majority of the fire is knocked down. 2240. 203 to command. We're at the roof, two-sided building where there's a scuttle over the porches. There's a little flame up here. We don't have a water act to get to it. Okay.

According to firefighters, there's no heat on the sixth floor, only smoke. An attic ladder is being retrieved.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:11
102 to command, no heat on the 6, just smoke. 302 is coming down to get an attic ladder, Okay, received.

Firefighters are warned to avoid using the compromised rear porches of the main fire building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:29
Command on. Command, instruct anybody that's inside on the second and third floor of the main fire building not to step out the back doors or come out the windows. All the back porches are heavily compromised. Received. Dispatch, put a long cone out, alerting companies that the rear porches are compromised. All units, be advised, the porches are compromised. What exposure did you say it was, Chief? Avoid the porches, all companies.

A Citizen user's live video shows firefighters using a ladder to access the building's roof.

A Citizen user's live video shows multiple fire units on the scene.

Crews report difficulty accessing the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:22
202 to command, we're unable to get to the roof. Can you repeat that, lieutenant? Truck 2, unable to get to the roof. Alright, 10-4. Command and dispatcher, Engine 9 is going to be on my FAST team for now. Received, Engine 9, FAST team, 2209.

Firefighters are redirecting resources to the parking lot from the Western Avenue side to assist with the fire.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
Walfia. Negative, we're attacking right now. Okay, received. Command 2, Engine 11, can you change your direction and come to the parking lot? From Western Ave side. Of the Rock.

Firefighters report heavy fire at the rear of the building, with a two-story structure nearby.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
There's heavy fire in the rear. Bravo exposure's going to be a two-story, connected ordinary. Charlie side's in the rear. Delta side's a parking lot.Metal received, 2233.

Police are managing pedestrian traffic and setting up barriers near the fire scene.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
176, I'm on the fire. 176, received. 2233. 178, can we just get units to start moving some of the pedestrian traffic on the north side of the street? Received. North side of the street, got a unit available? 103, I'll take care of it. Can we just get the tape up to the scene here, please? 103, received. What are we looking for? Somebody can bring some crimes being seen up to 68 Central. Received. 105, 106, you guys got that? Received. Received.

Crews report no visible fire on the top floor, with only a small amount of smoke remaining.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Engine 7 to 107, what are the conditions in the front? We've knocked down all the fire in the rear. 102 to 107, we're on the top floor. A little bit of smoke in the rear, but no visible fire. 404, command. Command, touch. Primary search, second floor is negative. Received. Command dispatcher, we're going to have a three-story ordinary. We're going to have a three-story ordinary.

Additional fire units are en route as a second alarm has been initiated.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:14
182, I'm out on a fire. 182, received. 2213. 178, we're out. 178, received. Be advised, they have more units, more companies are en route. They're starting a second alarm. 2233. Received.

Firefighters have knocked down most of the fire at the back of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:28
Truck 3 to command, we're showing up on Central Ave. Do you want us to go around backside the building? Yeah, come in the parking lot from the rear, off of, uh, Western. Dispatch, we've knocked down the majority of the fire in the back. We're positioning 107 to Engine 7. A little bit less pressure on the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have evacuated one person from a nearby building. Evacuations continue on Washington Avenue.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:16
103, I got 68 central evacuated, one occupant out. 68 central evacuated, 2230. 10-4, I'll be working on evacuating the 287, Washington Avenue side. Received, let me know if we need EMS, 2230. Received.

Firefighters report the fire is in an abandoned building, and nearby roads are being closed due to heavy fire.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:24
103, be advised, it's at a abandoned building here. 103, received, 2226. 103, I'm going to need central shutdown, Wex and Robin, all directions, heavy fire. Received. 101? Received. 104? Received. 103, the address is 70 Central Avenue. 70 Central, received, updating now, 2226.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 70 Central Ave.

Police are responding to a 911 report of a fire in a residential building. Firefighters are en route.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
103, I got an active structure fire at That's correct. 101, 103, 104, 178, we're getting calls now. 302 Washington Avenue for an structure fire. 2225. 101? Received. 104? Received. 178? 178, received. 178, received. 103, we're getting multiple calls now. The fire department's en route. 2225. 178, received. 103, put us on it. 108, 22, 25. 206, you can put me on it. 206, 22.

A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 302 Washington Ave.

Firefighters on the roof are securing their equipment as the fire is now under control.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:07
Companies on the roof. Roof companies, you can pull up your line, pull up your rope. Got it, thank you.

Firefighters are adjusting their approach to access the third-floor porch roof more effectively.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:13
Command in the pocket, if you could lower your pocket and go to the, underneath the roof, or the roof of this third floor porch, and pull from there, it might be easier. Received.

The fire is now under control, according to firefighters on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:08
Received. You can put the fire under control. Received. Fire is under control at 70 Central Avenue at this time, 2305.

Fire units have identified fire extension in the porch overhang and are backing away from the unsupported area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Command in the roof. He's standing towards the rear. Get him to the center of the building again. We're backing up now. Past the rear porch is clear. We do have extension in the overhang of the porch. We just opened it up. Okay, there's still a guy standing over the unsupported porch. You guys can't listen. I'm going to call you off the roof. My apologies, Chief. We're backing up now. Do you need anything else while we're up here? Negative. Dispatch command, be advised, 30-minute time check.

Crews are addressing a fire in the porch area, coordinating with command on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:09
Alright, we're with the command. Chief, the clock off proper is clear. We do have fire in the porch area. We're working on that now. Okay, received.

Firefighters are requesting additional equipment to the roof to assist with their operations.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
roof to command. Command's off. Chief, in the D5 lot, we're going to drop a rope. Could you send up the wood from Truck 3, please? Yeah, stand by.

Firefighters are advised to avoid the unstable dormer porch roof at the rear of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:25
Roof to command. I also have Truck 3 operating with us.109 to you members on the roof, on the very rear, that dormer porch roof is very unstable. Don't stand on that. Alright, Roman, how far back is that going before it becomes a building? 72, roof company. Where that skylight is, where that opening, that's the end of the roof line. Alright, received. Thank you.

Firefighters are opening up the roof to check for fire extension.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Roof to command. Standby one. Companies in the rear, don't operate that hand line into the basement. Received. Last unit on looking for command, go ahead. Roof to command, Chief. Truck 1, we're up here now. Do you have some extension through the scuttle? We'll be opening up shortly. We're in the rear. It's sound. Received. Companies in the rear, go ahead. You can operate that hand line now. Commit, uh, engine 7.

According to firefighters, they accessed the basement, reported light smoke, and coordinated efforts to clear the area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Okay, received. 70 Command, we've found access to the basement of the main fire building through the rear. Okay, received. What are the conditions of the basement? Light smoke in the basement. We're going to stick the 2 1⁄2 in there. Okay. Just be careful. There's companies working their way through it now. 301 to Command, I've made my way into the basement through the front door, beneath the stairs. I have light smoke. I can hear those guys working from the back. Give me a minute to clear before they charge the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have one line in operation at the rear, with most of the fire knocked down. Crews are addressing a small flame on the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Dispatch to command, 15-minute time check. Received. Quick update, we've got one line in operation in the rear. Companies are searching for the basement still. Looks like the majority of the fire is knocked down. 2240. 203 to command. We're at the roof, two-sided building where there's a scuttle over the porches. There's a little flame up here. We don't have a water act to get to it. Okay.

According to firefighters, there's no heat on the sixth floor, only smoke. An attic ladder is being retrieved.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:11
102 to command, no heat on the 6, just smoke. 302 is coming down to get an attic ladder, Okay, received.

Firefighters are warned to avoid using the compromised rear porches of the main fire building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:29
Command on. Command, instruct anybody that's inside on the second and third floor of the main fire building not to step out the back doors or come out the windows. All the back porches are heavily compromised. Received. Dispatch, put a long cone out, alerting companies that the rear porches are compromised. All units, be advised, the porches are compromised. What exposure did you say it was, Chief? Avoid the porches, all companies.

A Citizen user's live video shows firefighters using a ladder to access the building's roof.

A Citizen user's live video shows multiple fire units on the scene.

Crews report difficulty accessing the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:22
202 to command, we're unable to get to the roof. Can you repeat that, lieutenant? Truck 2, unable to get to the roof. Alright, 10-4. Command and dispatcher, Engine 9 is going to be on my FAST team for now. Received, Engine 9, FAST team, 2209.

Firefighters are redirecting resources to the parking lot from the Western Avenue side to assist with the fire.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
Walfia. Negative, we're attacking right now. Okay, received. Command 2, Engine 11, can you change your direction and come to the parking lot? From Western Ave side. Of the Rock.

Firefighters report heavy fire at the rear of the building, with a two-story structure nearby.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
There's heavy fire in the rear. Bravo exposure's going to be a two-story, connected ordinary. Charlie side's in the rear. Delta side's a parking lot.Metal received, 2233.

Police are managing pedestrian traffic and setting up barriers near the fire scene.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
176, I'm on the fire. 176, received. 2233. 178, can we just get units to start moving some of the pedestrian traffic on the north side of the street? Received. North side of the street, got a unit available? 103, I'll take care of it. Can we just get the tape up to the scene here, please? 103, received. What are we looking for? Somebody can bring some crimes being seen up to 68 Central. Received. 105, 106, you guys got that? Received. Received.

Crews report no visible fire on the top floor, with only a small amount of smoke remaining.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Engine 7 to 107, what are the conditions in the front? We've knocked down all the fire in the rear. 102 to 107, we're on the top floor. A little bit of smoke in the rear, but no visible fire. 404, command. Command, touch. Primary search, second floor is negative. Received. Command dispatcher, we're going to have a three-story ordinary. We're going to have a three-story ordinary.

Additional fire units are en route as a second alarm has been initiated.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:14
182, I'm out on a fire. 182, received. 2213. 178, we're out. 178, received. Be advised, they have more units, more companies are en route. They're starting a second alarm. 2233. Received.

Firefighters have knocked down most of the fire at the back of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:28
Truck 3 to command, we're showing up on Central Ave. Do you want us to go around backside the building? Yeah, come in the parking lot from the rear, off of, uh, Western. Dispatch, we've knocked down the majority of the fire in the back. We're positioning 107 to Engine 7. A little bit less pressure on the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have evacuated one person from a nearby building. Evacuations continue on Washington Avenue.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:16
103, I got 68 central evacuated, one occupant out. 68 central evacuated, 2230. 10-4, I'll be working on evacuating the 287, Washington Avenue side. Received, let me know if we need EMS, 2230. Received.

Firefighters report the fire is in an abandoned building, and nearby roads are being closed due to heavy fire.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:24
103, be advised, it's at a abandoned building here. 103, received, 2226. 103, I'm going to need central shutdown, Wex and Robin, all directions, heavy fire. Received. 101? Received. 104? Received. 103, the address is 70 Central Avenue. 70 Central, received, updating now, 2226.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 70 Central Ave.

Police are responding to a 911 report of a fire in a residential building. Firefighters are en route.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
103, I got an active structure fire at That's correct. 101, 103, 104, 178, we're getting calls now. 302 Washington Avenue for an structure fire. 2225. 101? Received. 104? Received. 178? 178, received. 178, received. 103, we're getting multiple calls now. The fire department's en route. 2225. 178, received. 103, put us on it. 108, 22, 25. 206, you can put me on it. 206, 22.

A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 302 Washington Ave.

Firefighters on the roof are securing their equipment as the fire is now under control.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:07
Companies on the roof. Roof companies, you can pull up your line, pull up your rope. Got it, thank you.

Firefighters are adjusting their approach to access the third-floor porch roof more effectively.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:13
Command in the pocket, if you could lower your pocket and go to the, underneath the roof, or the roof of this third floor porch, and pull from there, it might be easier. Received.

The fire is now under control, according to firefighters on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:08
Received. You can put the fire under control. Received. Fire is under control at 70 Central Avenue at this time, 2305.

Fire units have identified fire extension in the porch overhang and are backing away from the unsupported area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Command in the roof. He's standing towards the rear. Get him to the center of the building again. We're backing up now. Past the rear porch is clear. We do have extension in the overhang of the porch. We just opened it up. Okay, there's still a guy standing over the unsupported porch. You guys can't listen. I'm going to call you off the roof. My apologies, Chief. We're backing up now. Do you need anything else while we're up here? Negative. Dispatch command, be advised, 30-minute time check.

Crews are addressing a fire in the porch area, coordinating with command on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:09
Alright, we're with the command. Chief, the clock off proper is clear. We do have fire in the porch area. We're working on that now. Okay, received.

Firefighters are requesting additional equipment to the roof to assist with their operations.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
roof to command. Command's off. Chief, in the D5 lot, we're going to drop a rope. Could you send up the wood from Truck 3, please? Yeah, stand by.

Firefighters are advised to avoid the unstable dormer porch roof at the rear of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:25
Roof to command. I also have Truck 3 operating with us.109 to you members on the roof, on the very rear, that dormer porch roof is very unstable. Don't stand on that. Alright, Roman, how far back is that going before it becomes a building? 72, roof company. Where that skylight is, where that opening, that's the end of the roof line. Alright, received. Thank you.

Firefighters are opening up the roof to check for fire extension.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Roof to command. Standby one. Companies in the rear, don't operate that hand line into the basement. Received. Last unit on looking for command, go ahead. Roof to command, Chief. Truck 1, we're up here now. Do you have some extension through the scuttle? We'll be opening up shortly. We're in the rear. It's sound. Received. Companies in the rear, go ahead. You can operate that hand line now. Commit, uh, engine 7.

According to firefighters, they accessed the basement, reported light smoke, and coordinated efforts to clear the area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Okay, received. 70 Command, we've found access to the basement of the main fire building through the rear. Okay, received. What are the conditions of the basement? Light smoke in the basement. We're going to stick the 2 1⁄2 in there. Okay. Just be careful. There's companies working their way through it now. 301 to Command, I've made my way into the basement through the front door, beneath the stairs. I have light smoke. I can hear those guys working from the back. Give me a minute to clear before they charge the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have one line in operation at the rear, with most of the fire knocked down. Crews are addressing a small flame on the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Dispatch to command, 15-minute time check. Received. Quick update, we've got one line in operation in the rear. Companies are searching for the basement still. Looks like the majority of the fire is knocked down. 2240. 203 to command. We're at the roof, two-sided building where there's a scuttle over the porches. There's a little flame up here. We don't have a water act to get to it. Okay.

According to firefighters, there's no heat on the sixth floor, only smoke. An attic ladder is being retrieved.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:11
102 to command, no heat on the 6, just smoke. 302 is coming down to get an attic ladder, Okay, received.

Firefighters are warned to avoid using the compromised rear porches of the main fire building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:29
Command on. Command, instruct anybody that's inside on the second and third floor of the main fire building not to step out the back doors or come out the windows. All the back porches are heavily compromised. Received. Dispatch, put a long cone out, alerting companies that the rear porches are compromised. All units, be advised, the porches are compromised. What exposure did you say it was, Chief? Avoid the porches, all companies.

A Citizen user's live video shows firefighters using a ladder to access the building's roof.

A Citizen user's live video shows multiple fire units on the scene.

Crews report difficulty accessing the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:22
202 to command, we're unable to get to the roof. Can you repeat that, lieutenant? Truck 2, unable to get to the roof. Alright, 10-4. Command and dispatcher, Engine 9 is going to be on my FAST team for now. Received, Engine 9, FAST team, 2209.

Firefighters are redirecting resources to the parking lot from the Western Avenue side to assist with the fire.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
Walfia. Negative, we're attacking right now. Okay, received. Command 2, Engine 11, can you change your direction and come to the parking lot? From Western Ave side. Of the Rock.

Firefighters report heavy fire at the rear of the building, with a two-story structure nearby.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
There's heavy fire in the rear. Bravo exposure's going to be a two-story, connected ordinary. Charlie side's in the rear. Delta side's a parking lot.Metal received, 2233.

Police are managing pedestrian traffic and setting up barriers near the fire scene.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
176, I'm on the fire. 176, received. 2233. 178, can we just get units to start moving some of the pedestrian traffic on the north side of the street? Received. North side of the street, got a unit available? 103, I'll take care of it. Can we just get the tape up to the scene here, please? 103, received. What are we looking for? Somebody can bring some crimes being seen up to 68 Central. Received. 105, 106, you guys got that? Received. Received.

Crews report no visible fire on the top floor, with only a small amount of smoke remaining.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Engine 7 to 107, what are the conditions in the front? We've knocked down all the fire in the rear. 102 to 107, we're on the top floor. A little bit of smoke in the rear, but no visible fire. 404, command. Command, touch. Primary search, second floor is negative. Received. Command dispatcher, we're going to have a three-story ordinary. We're going to have a three-story ordinary.

Additional fire units are en route as a second alarm has been initiated.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:14
182, I'm out on a fire. 182, received. 2213. 178, we're out. 178, received. Be advised, they have more units, more companies are en route. They're starting a second alarm. 2233. Received.

Firefighters have knocked down most of the fire at the back of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:28
Truck 3 to command, we're showing up on Central Ave. Do you want us to go around backside the building? Yeah, come in the parking lot from the rear, off of, uh, Western. Dispatch, we've knocked down the majority of the fire in the back. We're positioning 107 to Engine 7. A little bit less pressure on the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have evacuated one person from a nearby building. Evacuations continue on Washington Avenue.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:16
103, I got 68 central evacuated, one occupant out. 68 central evacuated, 2230. 10-4, I'll be working on evacuating the 287, Washington Avenue side. Received, let me know if we need EMS, 2230. Received.

Firefighters report the fire is in an abandoned building, and nearby roads are being closed due to heavy fire.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:24
103, be advised, it's at a abandoned building here. 103, received, 2226. 103, I'm going to need central shutdown, Wex and Robin, all directions, heavy fire. Received. 101? Received. 104? Received. 103, the address is 70 Central Avenue. 70 Central, received, updating now, 2226.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 70 Central Ave.

Police are responding to a 911 report of a fire in a residential building. Firefighters are en route.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
103, I got an active structure fire at That's correct. 101, 103, 104, 178, we're getting calls now. 302 Washington Avenue for an structure fire. 2225. 101? Received. 104? Received. 178? 178, received. 178, received. 103, we're getting multiple calls now. The fire department's en route. 2225. 178, received. 103, put us on it. 108, 22, 25. 206, you can put me on it. 206, 22.

A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 302 Washington Ave.

Firefighters on the roof are securing their equipment as the fire is now under control.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:07
Companies on the roof. Roof companies, you can pull up your line, pull up your rope. Got it, thank you.

Firefighters are adjusting their approach to access the third-floor porch roof more effectively.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:13
Command in the pocket, if you could lower your pocket and go to the, underneath the roof, or the roof of this third floor porch, and pull from there, it might be easier. Received.

The fire is now under control, according to firefighters on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:08
Received. You can put the fire under control. Received. Fire is under control at 70 Central Avenue at this time, 2305.

Fire units have identified fire extension in the porch overhang and are backing away from the unsupported area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Command in the roof. He's standing towards the rear. Get him to the center of the building again. We're backing up now. Past the rear porch is clear. We do have extension in the overhang of the porch. We just opened it up. Okay, there's still a guy standing over the unsupported porch. You guys can't listen. I'm going to call you off the roof. My apologies, Chief. We're backing up now. Do you need anything else while we're up here? Negative. Dispatch command, be advised, 30-minute time check.

Crews are addressing a fire in the porch area, coordinating with command on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:09
Alright, we're with the command. Chief, the clock off proper is clear. We do have fire in the porch area. We're working on that now. Okay, received.

Firefighters are requesting additional equipment to the roof to assist with their operations.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
roof to command. Command's off. Chief, in the D5 lot, we're going to drop a rope. Could you send up the wood from Truck 3, please? Yeah, stand by.

Firefighters are advised to avoid the unstable dormer porch roof at the rear of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:25
Roof to command. I also have Truck 3 operating with us.109 to you members on the roof, on the very rear, that dormer porch roof is very unstable. Don't stand on that. Alright, Roman, how far back is that going before it becomes a building? 72, roof company. Where that skylight is, where that opening, that's the end of the roof line. Alright, received. Thank you.

Firefighters are opening up the roof to check for fire extension.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Roof to command. Standby one. Companies in the rear, don't operate that hand line into the basement. Received. Last unit on looking for command, go ahead. Roof to command, Chief. Truck 1, we're up here now. Do you have some extension through the scuttle? We'll be opening up shortly. We're in the rear. It's sound. Received. Companies in the rear, go ahead. You can operate that hand line now. Commit, uh, engine 7.

According to firefighters, they accessed the basement, reported light smoke, and coordinated efforts to clear the area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Okay, received. 70 Command, we've found access to the basement of the main fire building through the rear. Okay, received. What are the conditions of the basement? Light smoke in the basement. We're going to stick the 2 1⁄2 in there. Okay. Just be careful. There's companies working their way through it now. 301 to Command, I've made my way into the basement through the front door, beneath the stairs. I have light smoke. I can hear those guys working from the back. Give me a minute to clear before they charge the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have one line in operation at the rear, with most of the fire knocked down. Crews are addressing a small flame on the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Dispatch to command, 15-minute time check. Received. Quick update, we've got one line in operation in the rear. Companies are searching for the basement still. Looks like the majority of the fire is knocked down. 2240. 203 to command. We're at the roof, two-sided building where there's a scuttle over the porches. There's a little flame up here. We don't have a water act to get to it. Okay.

According to firefighters, there's no heat on the sixth floor, only smoke. An attic ladder is being retrieved.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:11
102 to command, no heat on the 6, just smoke. 302 is coming down to get an attic ladder, Okay, received.

Firefighters are warned to avoid using the compromised rear porches of the main fire building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:29
Command on. Command, instruct anybody that's inside on the second and third floor of the main fire building not to step out the back doors or come out the windows. All the back porches are heavily compromised. Received. Dispatch, put a long cone out, alerting companies that the rear porches are compromised. All units, be advised, the porches are compromised. What exposure did you say it was, Chief? Avoid the porches, all companies.

A Citizen user's live video shows firefighters using a ladder to access the building's roof.

A Citizen user's live video shows multiple fire units on the scene.

Crews report difficulty accessing the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:22
202 to command, we're unable to get to the roof. Can you repeat that, lieutenant? Truck 2, unable to get to the roof. Alright, 10-4. Command and dispatcher, Engine 9 is going to be on my FAST team for now. Received, Engine 9, FAST team, 2209.

Firefighters are redirecting resources to the parking lot from the Western Avenue side to assist with the fire.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
Walfia. Negative, we're attacking right now. Okay, received. Command 2, Engine 11, can you change your direction and come to the parking lot? From Western Ave side. Of the Rock.

Firefighters report heavy fire at the rear of the building, with a two-story structure nearby.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
There's heavy fire in the rear. Bravo exposure's going to be a two-story, connected ordinary. Charlie side's in the rear. Delta side's a parking lot.Metal received, 2233.

Police are managing pedestrian traffic and setting up barriers near the fire scene.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
176, I'm on the fire. 176, received. 2233. 178, can we just get units to start moving some of the pedestrian traffic on the north side of the street? Received. North side of the street, got a unit available? 103, I'll take care of it. Can we just get the tape up to the scene here, please? 103, received. What are we looking for? Somebody can bring some crimes being seen up to 68 Central. Received. 105, 106, you guys got that? Received. Received.

Crews report no visible fire on the top floor, with only a small amount of smoke remaining.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Engine 7 to 107, what are the conditions in the front? We've knocked down all the fire in the rear. 102 to 107, we're on the top floor. A little bit of smoke in the rear, but no visible fire. 404, command. Command, touch. Primary search, second floor is negative. Received. Command dispatcher, we're going to have a three-story ordinary. We're going to have a three-story ordinary.

Additional fire units are en route as a second alarm has been initiated.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:14
182, I'm out on a fire. 182, received. 2213. 178, we're out. 178, received. Be advised, they have more units, more companies are en route. They're starting a second alarm. 2233. Received.

Firefighters have knocked down most of the fire at the back of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:28
Truck 3 to command, we're showing up on Central Ave. Do you want us to go around backside the building? Yeah, come in the parking lot from the rear, off of, uh, Western. Dispatch, we've knocked down the majority of the fire in the back. We're positioning 107 to Engine 7. A little bit less pressure on the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have evacuated one person from a nearby building. Evacuations continue on Washington Avenue.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:16
103, I got 68 central evacuated, one occupant out. 68 central evacuated, 2230. 10-4, I'll be working on evacuating the 287, Washington Avenue side. Received, let me know if we need EMS, 2230. Received.

Firefighters report the fire is in an abandoned building, and nearby roads are being closed due to heavy fire.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:24
103, be advised, it's at a abandoned building here. 103, received, 2226. 103, I'm going to need central shutdown, Wex and Robin, all directions, heavy fire. Received. 101? Received. 104? Received. 103, the address is 70 Central Avenue. 70 Central, received, updating now, 2226.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 70 Central Ave.

Police are responding to a 911 report of a fire in a residential building. Firefighters are en route.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
103, I got an active structure fire at That's correct. 101, 103, 104, 178, we're getting calls now. 302 Washington Avenue for an structure fire. 2225. 101? Received. 104? Received. 178? 178, received. 178, received. 103, we're getting multiple calls now. The fire department's en route. 2225. 178, received. 103, put us on it. 108, 22, 25. 206, you can put me on it. 206, 22.

A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 302 Washington Ave.

Firefighters on the roof are securing their equipment as the fire is now under control.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:07
Companies on the roof. Roof companies, you can pull up your line, pull up your rope. Got it, thank you.

Firefighters are adjusting their approach to access the third-floor porch roof more effectively.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:13
Command in the pocket, if you could lower your pocket and go to the, underneath the roof, or the roof of this third floor porch, and pull from there, it might be easier. Received.

The fire is now under control, according to firefighters on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:08
Received. You can put the fire under control. Received. Fire is under control at 70 Central Avenue at this time, 2305.

Fire units have identified fire extension in the porch overhang and are backing away from the unsupported area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Command in the roof. He's standing towards the rear. Get him to the center of the building again. We're backing up now. Past the rear porch is clear. We do have extension in the overhang of the porch. We just opened it up. Okay, there's still a guy standing over the unsupported porch. You guys can't listen. I'm going to call you off the roof. My apologies, Chief. We're backing up now. Do you need anything else while we're up here? Negative. Dispatch command, be advised, 30-minute time check.

Crews are addressing a fire in the porch area, coordinating with command on scene.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:09
Alright, we're with the command. Chief, the clock off proper is clear. We do have fire in the porch area. We're working on that now. Okay, received.

Firefighters are requesting additional equipment to the roof to assist with their operations.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
roof to command. Command's off. Chief, in the D5 lot, we're going to drop a rope. Could you send up the wood from Truck 3, please? Yeah, stand by.

Firefighters are advised to avoid the unstable dormer porch roof at the rear of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:25
Roof to command. I also have Truck 3 operating with us.109 to you members on the roof, on the very rear, that dormer porch roof is very unstable. Don't stand on that. Alright, Roman, how far back is that going before it becomes a building? 72, roof company. Where that skylight is, where that opening, that's the end of the roof line. Alright, received. Thank you.

Firefighters are opening up the roof to check for fire extension.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Roof to command. Standby one. Companies in the rear, don't operate that hand line into the basement. Received. Last unit on looking for command, go ahead. Roof to command, Chief. Truck 1, we're up here now. Do you have some extension through the scuttle? We'll be opening up shortly. We're in the rear. It's sound. Received. Companies in the rear, go ahead. You can operate that hand line now. Commit, uh, engine 7.

According to firefighters, they accessed the basement, reported light smoke, and coordinated efforts to clear the area.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Okay, received. 70 Command, we've found access to the basement of the main fire building through the rear. Okay, received. What are the conditions of the basement? Light smoke in the basement. We're going to stick the 2 1⁄2 in there. Okay. Just be careful. There's companies working their way through it now. 301 to Command, I've made my way into the basement through the front door, beneath the stairs. I have light smoke. I can hear those guys working from the back. Give me a minute to clear before they charge the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have one line in operation at the rear, with most of the fire knocked down. Crews are addressing a small flame on the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:30
Dispatch to command, 15-minute time check. Received. Quick update, we've got one line in operation in the rear. Companies are searching for the basement still. Looks like the majority of the fire is knocked down. 2240. 203 to command. We're at the roof, two-sided building where there's a scuttle over the porches. There's a little flame up here. We don't have a water act to get to it. Okay.

According to firefighters, there's no heat on the sixth floor, only smoke. An attic ladder is being retrieved.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:11
102 to command, no heat on the 6, just smoke. 302 is coming down to get an attic ladder, Okay, received.

Firefighters are warned to avoid using the compromised rear porches of the main fire building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:29
Command on. Command, instruct anybody that's inside on the second and third floor of the main fire building not to step out the back doors or come out the windows. All the back porches are heavily compromised. Received. Dispatch, put a long cone out, alerting companies that the rear porches are compromised. All units, be advised, the porches are compromised. What exposure did you say it was, Chief? Avoid the porches, all companies.

A Citizen user's live video shows firefighters using a ladder to access the building's roof.

A Citizen user's live video shows multiple fire units on the scene.

Crews report difficulty accessing the roof.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:22
202 to command, we're unable to get to the roof. Can you repeat that, lieutenant? Truck 2, unable to get to the roof. Alright, 10-4. Command and dispatcher, Engine 9 is going to be on my FAST team for now. Received, Engine 9, FAST team, 2209.

Firefighters are redirecting resources to the parking lot from the Western Avenue side to assist with the fire.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
Walfia. Negative, we're attacking right now. Okay, received. Command 2, Engine 11, can you change your direction and come to the parking lot? From Western Ave side. Of the Rock.

Firefighters report heavy fire at the rear of the building, with a two-story structure nearby.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:14
There's heavy fire in the rear. Bravo exposure's going to be a two-story, connected ordinary. Charlie side's in the rear. Delta side's a parking lot.Metal received, 2233.

Police are managing pedestrian traffic and setting up barriers near the fire scene.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
176, I'm on the fire. 176, received. 2233. 178, can we just get units to start moving some of the pedestrian traffic on the north side of the street? Received. North side of the street, got a unit available? 103, I'll take care of it. Can we just get the tape up to the scene here, please? 103, received. What are we looking for? Somebody can bring some crimes being seen up to 68 Central. Received. 105, 106, you guys got that? Received. Received.

Crews report no visible fire on the top floor, with only a small amount of smoke remaining.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:31
Engine 7 to 107, what are the conditions in the front? We've knocked down all the fire in the rear. 102 to 107, we're on the top floor. A little bit of smoke in the rear, but no visible fire. 404, command. Command, touch. Primary search, second floor is negative. Received. Command dispatcher, we're going to have a three-story ordinary. We're going to have a three-story ordinary.

Additional fire units are en route as a second alarm has been initiated.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:14
182, I'm out on a fire. 182, received. 2213. 178, we're out. 178, received. Be advised, they have more units, more companies are en route. They're starting a second alarm. 2233. Received.

Firefighters have knocked down most of the fire at the back of the building.

Albany FD Fire 1 · 0:28
Truck 3 to command, we're showing up on Central Ave. Do you want us to go around backside the building? Yeah, come in the parking lot from the rear, off of, uh, Western. Dispatch, we've knocked down the majority of the fire in the back. We're positioning 107 to Engine 7. A little bit less pressure on the 2 1⁄2.

Firefighters have evacuated one person from a nearby building. Evacuations continue on Washington Avenue.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:16
103, I got 68 central evacuated, one occupant out. 68 central evacuated, 2230. 10-4, I'll be working on evacuating the 287, Washington Avenue side. Received, let me know if we need EMS, 2230. Received.

Firefighters report the fire is in an abandoned building, and nearby roads are being closed due to heavy fire.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:24
103, be advised, it's at a abandoned building here. 103, received, 2226. 103, I'm going to need central shutdown, Wex and Robin, all directions, heavy fire. Received. 101? Received. 104? Received. 103, the address is 70 Central Avenue. 70 Central, received, updating now, 2226.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 70 Central Ave.

Police are responding to a 911 report of a fire in a residential building. Firefighters are en route.

Albany PD Dispatch · 0:30
103, I got an active structure fire at That's correct. 101, 103, 104, 178, we're getting calls now. 302 Washington Avenue for an structure fire. 2225. 101? Received. 104? Received. 178? 178, received. 178, received. 103, we're getting multiple calls now. The fire department's en route. 2225. 178, received. 103, put us on it. 108, 22, 25. 206, you can put me on it. 206, 22.

A 911 caller has reported an unconfirmed incident at 302 Washington Ave.

Stay up-to-date

Download Citizen

Comments4

magic500Aug 13 at 1:33 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

magic500Aug 13 at 1:03 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

Banjo23777Aug 12 at 11:02 PM

Seems like building is abandoned, no one was in the building during fire and everyone around the area was evacuated. Cause of fire is still unknown. Upon arriving, others mentioned it could have been caused by maybe a homeless person or was started by an individual. But honestly take that with a grain of salt, could have been anything.

mauricioguignardAug 12 at 10:41 PM

anyone hear anything else about this?

magic500Aug 13 at 1:33 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

magic500Aug 13 at 1:03 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

Banjo23777Aug 12 at 11:02 PM

Seems like building is abandoned, no one was in the building during fire and everyone around the area was evacuated. Cause of fire is still unknown. Upon arriving, others mentioned it could have been caused by maybe a homeless person or was started by an individual. But honestly take that with a grain of salt, could have been anything.

mauricioguignardAug 12 at 10:41 PM

anyone hear anything else about this?

magic500Aug 13 at 1:33 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

magic500Aug 13 at 1:03 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

Banjo23777Aug 12 at 11:02 PM

Seems like building is abandoned, no one was in the building during fire and everyone around the area was evacuated. Cause of fire is still unknown. Upon arriving, others mentioned it could have been caused by maybe a homeless person or was started by an individual. But honestly take that with a grain of salt, could have been anything.

mauricioguignardAug 12 at 10:41 PM

anyone hear anything else about this?

magic500Aug 13 at 1:33 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

magic500Aug 13 at 1:03 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

Banjo23777Aug 12 at 11:02 PM

Seems like building is abandoned, no one was in the building during fire and everyone around the area was evacuated. Cause of fire is still unknown. Upon arriving, others mentioned it could have been caused by maybe a homeless person or was started by an individual. But honestly take that with a grain of salt, could have been anything.

mauricioguignardAug 12 at 10:41 PM

anyone hear anything else about this?

magic500Aug 13 at 1:33 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

magic500Aug 13 at 1:03 PM

Jesus Christ. Oh my God. Amen

Banjo23777Aug 12 at 11:02 PM

Seems like building is abandoned, no one was in the building during fire and everyone around the area was evacuated. Cause of fire is still unknown. Upon arriving, others mentioned it could have been caused by maybe a homeless person or was started by an individual. But honestly take that with a grain of salt, could have been anything.

mauricioguignardAug 12 at 10:41 PM

anyone hear anything else about this?

Stay informed on local incidents

Download Citizen

Related Incidents

Police Managing Traffic Near Station

26 Delaware Ave, Hudson/Park, Albany · Oct 21 at 5:55 PM

Gunshot Fired, Woman Possibly Shot in Stomach

Judson St & 2nd St, West Hill, Albany · Aug 9 at 6:00 PM

Protect your world!

Download for Free

Google Play LogoGoogle Play
App Store