Fire!

We had another local fire yesterday.  It was right next to the warehouse that burnt down almost exactly a year ago.  It is an abandoned house and it seems that no one was hurt - fire fighters included.  I saw fire trucks from Schenectady, Rotterdam and Niskayuna.  The house seems a total loss to these unprofessional eyes - we'll know more in a few days.  Lots of smoke covered the neighbourhood for a few hours.  Since the house was vacant and electricity was cut off, the fire chief has called it 'suspicious'.  Not really a surprise.

F Number	10.0
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/640
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	160
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

4 alarm fire

Last night around supper time we saw billowing clouds of dark smoke. From here, it seemed as if the corner store was on fire. Walking down there, it was clear that the store was OK, but the building on the south side of State Street was not.

This same building, the former White House Flea Market, had a smaller fire several weeks ago, and was boarded up. Tonight, the attached house was on fire, and it spread.

At least four units were called to the fire: Schenectady 1 and 2, Stanford Heights (Niskayuna) and Carman. There were 3 ladder trucks, like the one in the photo as well as 2 pumpers. Fire crews are still on the scene this morning.

Very fortunately, all the involved buildings were abandoned or unoccupied, so no one was hurt. Arson is suspected.

Always there

Day or night, police, fire and ambulance services are on the job. Thanks to all who serve!

Fire engine

This is a photo of one of the ladder trucks belonging to the Schenectady Fire Department. They were in the neighbourhood yesterday because there was a fire in a neighbour's house. It was a kitchen fire, and everyone is safe but the fire fighters took every precaution, sending the ladder truck as well as the pump truck.

They never rolled out the hoses, using hand held fire extinguishers to put it out - the neighbour called before it got out of hand, thank heaven.

This is a photo of the ladder truck negotiating the corner on their way back to the station.

Bless everyone who fights fires.