Brinckerhoff Avenue Fire Displaces 14 People

Utica, NY (WIBX) - An early evening fire in Utica last night displaced 14 people from a 2 story wood frame building on 1421 Brinckerhoff Avenue according to Utica fire officials.

City of Utica Fire Department, Lieutenant Robert L. Stevens says there were no injuries but the building was occupied in the first and second floor apartments. He said investigators determined that the fire started in the attic. He said, "The building was shut down, the natural gas and the electrical service were disconnected by National Grid at the request of the fire department." Stevens said fire fighters saw smoke coming from the attic windows as they arrived on the scene.

According to Stevens the owner of the property, Bwe Htoo, recently purchased the building and a Residency Occupancy Permit or ROP inspection was not yet conducted but says the Department of Social Services did inspect each unit two weeks ago.

All the occupants of the building were displaced and Stevens said, "The second floor occupants are being assisted by the Red Cross and some of their own family members." He said fire investigators are still trying to locate the occupants of the first floor unit because they left the scene before they arrived. He said there was a language barrier because the tenants did not speak English.

Stevens says the call came in at 7:21PM and it took fire fighters about an hour to bring it under control. He added that the frigid temperatures made their work a little difficult. Officials say the fire is still under investigation.