On February 19, 2026, at 3:18AM, the West Sand Lake Fire Department, Wynantskill Fire Department, East Greenbush Fire Department, Averill Park Fire Department, and Sand Lake Ambulance was dispatched to the 43 Mall for a reported structure fire. The caller reported black smoke and flames from the roof of the building. Sand Lake Ambulance notified the dispatcher that they had heavy smoke and fire showing from their building across the street. Averill Park Car 1 called in route and the dispatcher notified him of the additional information from the ambulance on scene and the chief immediately transmitted the second alarm and the tanker box alarm assignment, bringing the Best Luther Fire Department, Poestenkill Fire Department, Defreestville Fire Department, Eagle Mills Fire Department, East Schodack Fire Department, South Schodack Fire Department, Hoags Corners Fire Department, Clinton Heights Fire Department, and Tsatsawassa Fire Department to the scene.

Command arrived on scene and had heavy fire showing from the Crossroads American Grille and was rapidly spreading. The first arriving engine on scene immediately deployed multiple hand lines and went to work attempting to knock down the heavy fire condition showing from the exterior portion of the structure. Command on scene went to work establishing a tanker drop location for a water supply in the parking lot of the 43 Mall. At 16 minutes into the fire, the roof of the structure of the main fire building had collapsed. Firefighters went into defensive operations on scene. With no fire hydrants near the mall, firefighters looked to set up near the Brookside of the bridge entering into the mall area, but it was frozen over. Within another few minutes another portion of the roof had collapsed due to the heavy fire condition. Firefighters began to establish a water supply at the nearby Racquet Lake and Near Hart Lane on a fire hydrant. With all of the nearby dry hydrants water supplies heavily frozen over with from the harsh winter it made it difficult for firefighters to get a solid water supply and a close one to the scene.

As mutual aid tankers arrived on scene, they quickly began to supply the scene with water, but as soon as they would supply the scene with water due to the heavy fire conditions firefighters would quickly run out of water. Firefighters continue to deploy multiple hand lines and conduct exposure protection to prevent the fire from spreading down to the other portion of the mall. As firefighters continued to work heavy smoke began to push from Unbreakable Nutrition and heavy fire consumed the attic area of the building. Firefighters on the Delta side of the structure attempted to knock down the fire in the attic but the heavy fire condition was too great. Firefighters pulled a 2 1/2-inch hand line to the front of the structure where the main fire portion had already collapsed and began to make a push to knock down the heavy fire condition. The truck company from the Wynantskill Fire Department went into master stream operations but due to the heavy water supply issues they were able to conduct master stream operations for a short period of time before having to stop.

As tankers dropped water on scene and took off back to off to refill the grueling 3-mile round-trip run to both locations. As firefighters continued to work on scene the heavy fire condition in the Unbreakable Nutrition had completely engulfed the restaurant and the front of the structure collapsed. As this was going on multiple large explosions started to occur in the rear of the building. Those explosions on scene rattled some of the nearby apparatus. Firefighters on scene switched to an interior operation to the building next to the main fire building as they had heavy smoke pushing from the roof area of another portion of the mall. Firefighters cut into the roof of the structure and began to search for any fire that got past the firewall. Firefighters continued to work on scene in that portion of the building to assure that no fire would get past that point.

Firefighters continue to work throughout the morning to bring the incident under control. Firefighters from numerous departments continued to supply water on scene while Fire Investigator’s from Rensselaer County and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control fire investigation team worked on scene to determine the cause of the fire. Over 100 firefighters worked to bring this incident under control and supplied mutual aid to the departments working on scene. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries requiring medical evaluations along with several others that had experienced slips, trips and fall injuries due to icy conditions at the fill sites or at the scene.

West Sand Lake Fire Department officials said the response also highlighted the strength and unity of the local community. In a statement following the incident, the department expressed deep gratitude to residents and local businesses who supported firefighters during the lengthy operation.

“In moments like this, the true character of a community shines through,” the department said. “We extend our deepest thanks to our residents and community partners who stepped up in support of the men and women working tirelessly through the early morning hours. A special thank you to Dunkin Donuts for generously donating several boxes of hot coffee, and to Chick-fil-A for providing breakfast sandwiches to help keep our firefighters fueled as they battled this blaze. We thank our West Sand Lake Auxiliary for their support and service in serving the many firefighters involved. These acts of kindness mean more than words can express after hours of operating in cold, challenging conditions.”

The department also offered words of support to the businesses affected by the fire, emphasizing that the community stands firmly behind them. Officials encouraged residents to rally around those impacted in the weeks and months ahead by supporting them when they reopen, shopping local, spreading the word, and assisting with recovery efforts.

“West Sand Lake has always been defined by resilience,” the statement continued. “Once again, that spirit is on full display.