Another Main St. Fire in Stamford

Staff Report

STAMFORD - A fire at 73 Main St., in the village of Stamford on Dec. 17 left three families homeless, but all residents and pets got out safely and neighboring buildings were kept from harm. Efforts are continuing to help those displaced by the fire.

Stamford firefighters got the call just before 3:30 p.m. and arrived to have flames coming threough the roof at the rear of the structure. Stamford firefighters with help from mutual aid departments put a good stop to the blaze that has heavily damaged the building. The three-story apartment building sits within two feet of a business and just a few feet from another apartment building.

Stamford Chief Don VanEtten was on the scene in minutes and he said responders indicated they did have a working structure fire. with occupants and pets confirmed to be out of the building.

As officers arrived, extensive mutual aid was called to the scene with a total of 15 fire agencies from four counties coming to battle the fire with more than 100 firefighters on scene. Requests for manpower, engines, tankers, aerials, Firefighter Assist and Search (FAST) Team, and EMS were all requested to the scene.

There was a large working fire in the attic and upper floors of the structure. Fire was through the roof, said VanEtten. An interior fire operation began, however due to deteriorating conditions firefighters wre called out of the building and operations transitioned into a defensive mode, according to VanEtten. When fire conditions improved, he said interior operations resumed.

Water sources, in addition to the village hydrant system, were established at Rexmere pond and at the Blackberry Street dry hydrant. Due to the amount of water flow, tankers were used to truck in additional water.

Two Troopers were on the scene quickly and VanEtten asked them to evacuate the neighboring buildings. Troopers James Vlahakis, and Anthony Valente were able to get all residents out of 69 and 67 Main Street.

NYSEG was requested and was on the scene in minutes, said VanEtten, which allowed the addition of aerial operations. Power was shut down to the fire building and then Main Street as aerial operations were expanded. There was one incident at the Main Street Senior housing when the power went off with a resident stuck in an elevator. A mutual aid department responded and extricated her from the elevator safely.

The blaze was a difficult battle, according to VanEtten, due to exposures on two sides. The building is only 18-inches from a business. VanEtten said neither of the neighboring structures sustained any fire damage, and only minimal smoke damage.

The fire was knocked down by 5:17 p.m., and an overhaul operation began that was soon all under control. Once aerial operations were over, power was restored to Main Street. All fire units were back in service at: 9:22 p.m..

Delaware County Fire Coordinators Delaware County (NY) Department of Emergency Services and Fire Investigators were requested to the scene and are handling the investigation.

The American Red Cross was requested to the scene. They arrived on scene and are assisting all the families affected by this fire.

EMS for firefighter rehab was provided by AMR, Headwaters EMS, Delaware County EMS, and Hobart EMS.

This was another large aerial truck operation. Assistance was provided to us by Cobleskill Fire Department, Delhi Fire Department, Margaretville Fire Department, and Stamford's Aerial surrounding the entire operation.

Engines, Tankers, and manpower were provided by: Prattsville Hose Company, Margaretville Fire Department, Halcottsville Fire Department, Roxbury Fire Department, Grand Gorge Fire Department, Bloomville Fire Dept., East Meredith Fire Dept, Davenport Fire Department, South Kortright Fire Department, Conesville Fire Department, Hobart Fire-Department, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, Bloomville Fire Department, Cobleskill Fire Department, Delhi Fire Department, Oneonta Fire Department, Oneonta Professional Firefighters Local 2408.

VanEtten thanks everyone involved, including all fire, EMS and law units that were on standby while all units were on scene assisting us.

Also assisting at the scene were: New York State Police Delaware County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Department of Transportation, Village of Stamford DPW, civilian assistance: James Eklund and Pat Cannon.

VanEtten put out a huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way.