A large residential fire in Rochester injured at least three New York firefighters and two civilians Tuesday afternoon.
Plumes of smoke rose from the blaze as it consumed the top floor of an apartment building on Dewey Ave., as seen in photos shared by the Rochester Fire Department.
The injured firefighters, who reportedly suffered burns, were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, according to local CBS affiliate WROC. The unidentified civilians victimized by the fire experienced unspecified “atmospheric” injuries and were treated at a different medical center.
The severity of the injuries to all five victims is unknown. Rochester fire officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Between 16 and 21 residents were displaced by the four-alarm fire, Rochester Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano told reporters at the scene. Officials said the Red Cross had been contacted to assist those impacted, which include four families sponsored by the Catholic Charities organization, reported Spectrum Local News.
Fire captain just called for EMS for a firefighter with a burn and now a person watching collapsed at the scene. pic.twitter.com/FYMh4fE266
— scott barstow (@barstow_scott) August 12, 2025
Napolitano described Tuesday’s “hot” and “humid” conditions as posing additional challenges to the crews at the scene.
“The smoke is banking down because of the atmospheric conditions and the moisture,” he said.
An initial report indicated the fire started in the building’s attic, but that hasn’t been confirmed. The cause of the flames have yet to be determined.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/12/rochester-apartment-fire/