After the Park Ave fire
Updated
The scene where a stretch of row houses were caught in a huge fire last night on Park Ave in Albany's Mansion neighborhood is sobering. Twenty-two people are now without a home. Four of the buildings -- all built in the late 1800s (streetview) -- are slated to be torn down because of concerns about collapse (that portion of Park was cordoned-off today). [Red Cross NENY] [YNN] [TU]
The fire apparently started in the back and just devoured the houses. On one of the buildings the siding melted off. (Albany's fire chief says the department rolled every piece of its fire equipment to the scene in order to knock down the flames.) There's now ash and singed evergreen needles spread on surrounding streets. And you could still smell the fire from blocks away this afternoon. [@_1134] [Fox23]
Photos from the fire last night: intense flames | porch engulfed in flames | fire fighters trying to knock down the fire | aftermath, the next morning. [@_1134 (Abraham Hmiel)] [@DJTrumastr] [@YNNAlbany] [Daily Gazette] [@dylanboyce]
There were a bunch of investigators -- from Albany Fire Department, the ATF, a state police K-9 fire unit -- at the site Monday afternoon.
More photos from this afternoon after the jump.
Ways to help
The Red Cross of Northeastern New York is providing assistance the families. The Grand Street Community Arts is collecting donations of clothing and household items for the families this week. The Trinity Alliance is collecting cash and gift card donations (mention "Mansion Neighborhood fire" with donation). And four of the families displaced are refugee families -- USCRI Albany is helping them. (Thanks, Jen)
The photos are in large-format above -- please scroll to the top.
Find It
Park Ave fire April 15, 2012
Park Ave between Eagle and Philip
Albany, NY 12202
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Comments
Donations of cash and gift cards (e.g. grocery stores, Walmart) for all affected families are being accepted by Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region. Put "Mansion Neighborhood fire" in the memo line of your check or online donation http://www.trinityalliancealbany.org/click-here-to-donate/
Grand Street Community Arts (68 Grand Street) is accepting donations of clothes and household goods - please only donate items in new or very good condition. Donations are being accepted during the following hours:
Tues: 11-2 and 5-8
Wed: 1-3 and 5-8
Thurs: 5-8
Four refugee families were among those displaced by the fire, and USCRI Albany, the area's primary refugee resettlement organization, is working with volunteers and the broader community to ensure they have everything they need after this second displacement.
THANK YOU for any support you can offer!
info@uscri-albany.org
... said Jen, USCRI Albany on Apr 16, 2012 at 5:24 PM | link
This is actually the second fire in the neighborhood this week. On Thursday there was a fire at the South Mall Towers:
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Fire-damages-Albany-high-rise-3478107.php
Any household goods/ clothing donations brought to GSCA will be available to people in need after that fire as well.
... said rana on Apr 16, 2012 at 5:46 PM | link
I hope they're able to save the facades and rebuild.
... said Kim M on Apr 16, 2012 at 5:53 PM | link
Its sad seeing my house like this again. I'm Nicholas DuPont, one of previous the residents of one of the burned down houses. My house was the one with the yellow cabinet in the garage. I was about 11 when that fire caught. I lived in that house for a large part of my life. I've had many good memories in that house, with my family and grandparents. I never saw anything like it in my life. Watching all of your precious memories, baby pictures, family heirlooms, sentimental items, everything, just burn. Hearing the propane explosions and watching your house collapse, you never forget something like that. I don't know why I wanted to see my house again, and I don't know why im writing this. I feel it serves as a sort of memorial, for my house.
... said Nicholas DuPont on Dec 3, 2015 at 5:44 PM | link