Trapped residents rescued, one hospitalized after fire in large Syracuse apartment complex

Parkside Commons fire

Several residents were evaluated by paramedics after evacuating a building at the Parkside Commons apartment complex in Syracuse on Thurday morning, May 5, 2022. (Anne Hayes | ahayes@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Several residents of a Syracuse apartment building had to be rescued from heavy smoke when a fire broke out on the third floor.

One woman was hospitalized, according to fire officials.

Around 8:19 a.m., a fire broke out in an apartment on the third floor of a building in the Parkside Commons complex, at 203 Westmoreland Ave., according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches.

Witnesses told dispatchers the flames were visible from outside the building. Smoke could be seen from I-690 near Exit 14 (Teall Ave.).

Several residents on the third floor were trapped due to the heavy smoke filling the halls, Syracuse Fire Department Deputy Chief James Farewell said.

A few people were evaluated by EMTs at the scene and one woman was hospitalized for further evaluation, he said.

The fire was under control within 20 minutes of the dispatch, Farewell said.

The fire damage was contained to one apartment but there is smoke and water damage throughout the third floor, Farewell said. About two apartments suffered significant damage, he said.

Second and first floor residents will be able to return to their apartments later today, Farewell said.

The American Red Cross was assisting residents at the scene.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

During the fire, Westmoreland Avenue was crowded with emergency vehicles and was shut down between East Fayette Street and Erie Boulevard East. The road has since been reopened.

Parkside Commons has about 400 apartments and is home to more than 900 tenants.

Parkside commons fire

Westmoreland Avenue was flooded with emergency vehicles Thursday morning due to an active fire at the Parkside Commons apartment complex. Anne Hayes | ahayes@syracuse.com

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.

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