One of the largest fires that the Syracuse Fire Department has faced in decades in terms of building size and fire volume.

Review by Michael Monds, Chief of Fire

I will speak about what our Syracuse Fire Department members did from Friday, March 21, 2025,  until this Sunday morning at 6:12 AM.

On Friday, firefighters responded to a structure fire at 1100 block of Carbon Street. Crews found a fire in a two-unit building with a basement fire. At 6:28 PM, we received reports of this fire [the Maria Regina campus including the historic Convent of St. Anthony]. While firefighters were still at that location on Carbon Street, the overlap in incidents meant that many of the firefighters who would have initially responded to the Carbon Street fire were already engaged. In such cases, we reposition companies from other parts of the city. A company from the east side was moved to the north side and arrived within three minutes.

Upon arrival, they noticed heavy smoke coming from the fourth floor [of the abandoned Convent building]. They initiated an aggressive attack up the stairs to fight the fire from inside the building. However, due to high heat, flames, and the presence of natural gas odors on the fourth floor, they were forced to retreat to the third floor. At that time, there were concerns about structural collapse and the building’s integrity. The incident commander ordered an evacuation, which was well-timed because, six minutes later, a chimney collapsed from the roof onto the building.

We then transitioned to an exterior firefight, utilizing aerial ladders and portable master streams to extinguish the fire. These tools delivered thousands of gallons of water per minute. At the height of our operations, we deployed six engine companies, four ladder companies, a rescue company, and a squad company. Initially, 61 firefighters were on scene. Over the next two days and across two shifts, we rotated 148 firefighters through the operation.

The bulk of the fire was extinguished by approximately 6:30 PM on Saturday, March 22, about 24 hours after the initial dispatch. We maintained a fire watch with continuous coverage to monitor for hot spots and potential rekindling. That operation concluded Sunday morning at 9:23 AM, marking 39 continuous hours on scene.

This fire was one of the largest our department has faced in decades in terms of building size and fire volume.

Water Supply and Coordination

Fires of this scale place an immense demand on a city’s water system. From the onset, we coordinated closely with Water Commissioner Robert Brandt, who was on scene to ensure proper hydrant usage and water flow management. His efforts helped prevent the fire from spreading further. Given the intensity of the fire, there was a real risk of flying embers igniting nearby buildings on Grant Boulevard and Court Street. Effective water supply coordination was critical to containing the fire.

Our engine companies can flow 2,000 gallons per minute, while our aerial ladder trucks can flow 1,500 gallons per minute. Ensuring sufficient water supply was crucial. One challenge we faced was the building’s setback from the street, which made it difficult to position aerial ladders. Trees around the perimeter further complicated access. However, once we adjusted, we were able to deliver adequate water to the fire.

Our apparatus performed as expected. We consistently invest in our equipment and resources, and they proved their reliability during this incident. Wind conditions also posed a challenge, with gusts reaching 15 mph on Friday night and 13 mph on Saturday, contributing to fire spread.

Firefighter Fatigue and Injuries

Extended operations like this present concerns about firefighter fatigue. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, we had three firefighter injuries:

- One firefighter experienced overexertion after responding to both this fire and the Carbon Street fire. He was treated and returned to duty.

- On Saturday, one firefighter sustained a shoulder injury.

- Another firefighter suffered a back injury.

All injured firefighters were able to return to duty.

Fire Watch and Investigation

After the fire was declared extinguished, we maintained a fire watch to ensure no rekindling. As of today at 9:00 AM, there have been no signs of smoke or fire in the past 24 hours, and we are confident the fire is fully out. However, we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day.

Regarding the fire investigation, we are working with the Syracuse Police Department. …

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank our internal and external partners, including the Syracuse Water Department, Department of Public Works, Syracuse Police Department, and the American Red Cross. The Red Cross workers are unsung heroes, consistently providing support to displaced civilians and our fire department.

I also want to acknowledge the Onondaga County 911 dispatchers. Despite multiple fires and emergency calls happening simultaneously, they kept us coordinated and ensured every dispatched call was answered.

Lastly, I want to commend the bravery and professionalism of our firefighters. Over 24 hours, we responded to three major fires across the city. At one point, we were down to one available engine, and for a time, all our fire trucks were engaged. Off-duty firefighters stepped up to staff recall apparatus, allowing us to maintain service to the community. Every call was answered, and I deeply appreciate their sacrifice and commitment.

Next, I will bring up Water Commissioner Robert Brandt

Remarks by Robert Brandt, Commissioner of Water

Good morning, everyone. I'd like to thank Chief Monds. The Water Department worked closely with the Syracuse Fire Department, as we always do, to ensure they had an adequate water supply to extinguish the fire.

I also want to thank the residents of the north side and the entire city of Syracuse for their patience. Due to the significant amount of water needed to combat the fire, some areas experienced lower water pressure. Once the fire was extinguished, normal pressure was restored in the north side area. As of today, our storage facilities continue to recover, and thanks to minimal water main breaks across the city, our water supply levels are looking strong.

Salute

The Minoa Fire Department applauds the efforts of the Syracuse Fire Department and other Syracuse City agencies plus County 911 for their successfully protecting the residents and properties of Syracuse. Cheers! 

Posted March 28, 2025