Fire At Night – South Utica 5/7/15 [EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS] [OPINION]

A fire caused damage to a house on Sunset Ave in South Utica around 9pm, Thursday, May 7, 2015.  The Utica Fire Department quickly responded, keeping the blaze from spreading to neighboring houses.  It appears to have started in the attic, and neighbors reported heavy smoke and flames initially.  Everyone got out safely and there were no injuries reported, but the situation could have been much worse.

The fire was almost 2 blocks from the one working fire hydrant, thanks to the crumbling and deteriorating pipes underground.  Fortunately, they were able to find a working hydrant this close.  What if none of the neighborhood hydrants worked?  How many more potentially dangerous situations could arise if the City of Utica's infrastructure isn't thoroughly tested and repaired?