Narrative: At 02:05 Watertown City fire units were dispatched to 138 W. Main St for a possible structure fire. Upon arrival of Engine 3 they found a 3 story, 6 unit apartment building with fire venting out 2 windows on the 1 st floor with heavy smoke from all 3 floors with only a couple occupants outside. Crews made an aggressive push into the fire apartment confining fire to the apartment of origin while other companies performed searches and stretched hose lines to upper floors to protect trapped occupants above as well as performing ventilation of smoke and heat. Companies found numerous residents on upper floors and in stairwells above the fire and assisted them to safety.
WPD officers also assisted evacuating non-ambulatory tenants of a 1 st floor apartment out the rear of the building to safety. All tenants were removed from the building unharmed and were evaluated by EMS on scene.
One firefighter was treated on the scene for over exertion and released and returned to work.
2 dogs and numerous cats were removed unharmed.
Fire damage was confined to apartment of origin with smoke damage throughout.
Red Cross provided assistance to numerous residents for temporary housing.
Fort Drum FD was called to scene for a RIT Team and Town of Watertown FD as well as Northpole FD were called to provide coverage in the city while units were operating. WPD, Guilfoyle, Town of Watertown Ambulance, National Grid and city codes department also assisted on scene.
The cause is under investigation at this time.
Battalion Chief Chris Hayman City of Watertown FD
Earlier…
WATERTOWN, NY — An apartment building at 138 W. Main St. in Watertown was heavily damaged by fire in a first-floor apartment shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, May 28.
Numerous pets were rescued by firefighters.
One firefighter was treated at the scene by Town of Watertown Ambulance for over exertion. He was later released and returned to work.
No other injuries were reported.
Fort Drum Fire Department, Watertown Police Department, New York State Police, Guilfoyle Ambulance, Town of Watertown Ambulance, American Red Cross, Code Enforcement, Water Department and National Grid assisted at the scene.
The Northpole and Town of Watertown fire departments also provided coverage at a city fire station during the incident.
The Red Cross is providing emergency housing for displaced tenants.
According to city property records, the three-story apartment building constructed in 1950 is owned by Pink Palace Properties, LLC, Cape Coral, FL.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
All firefighters cleared the scene at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
The Watertown Fire Department is expected to release more information later today.
