COLONIE, NY - On March 26th, the Colonie Village Fire Company, Boght Fire Company for the FAST, Shaker Road Fire Department, and Colonie EMS were dispatched to 39 Tanglewood Road for a reported structure fire. The dispatcher was taking multiple calls on the fire. Police units arrived on scene and had a well-involved house fire with multiple reports of entrapment.

Car 16 arrived on scene and had a two-story, wood-frame structure with heavy smoke showing from the building. The chief conducted a quick primary walk-around of the home and had heavy fire in the rear of the building, along with heavy smoke pushing from the home. The chief was able to confirm entrapment inside of the building. Within minutes of the initial dispatch, multiple chiefs along with the first two due apparatus from the Colonie Fire Company and Shaker Road Fire Department were en route to the scene. The chief notified the first due engine to pull past the police car and take up in front of the structure, but leave room for the truck company. Command notified the units that they had two vehicles in the driveway.

First due Engine 405 deployed a one-and-three-quarter-inch inch hand line to the front door as Car-17 forced the front door of the home, ripping it off its hinges. Command notified the truck company that they were going to work in searching the structure for the reported occupants still trapped inside. With a police car blocking the first due truck company from Shaker Road, firefighters dismounted from the rig, grabbed ground ladders and ran down the roadway to the scene.

As firefighters in the front of the structure had a heavy fire condition inside the building, they pushed their way into the structure and made an aggressive interior attack, knocking down a significant amount of the heavy fire conditions. With individuals still trapped inside of the structure, command transmitted the second-alarm, bringing the West Albany Fire Department, Midway Fire Department, Verdoy Fire Department, Stanford Heights Fire Department, North Bethlehem Fire Department for Rehab, Fuller Road Fire Department and Latham Fire Department to the scene.

Firefighters from the truck company made their way inside of the structure as the crew from Engine 405 was conducting a primary search. Within a minute of their initial search, firefighters located the first victim and began to work to get the individual out of the building with the help from the crew of the truck company. Multiple firefighters quickly made their way to the rear of the structure and began to assist with the rescue efforts. Firefighters on the other search team were able to locate the other victim and took them out of the home. Once the two individuals were removed from the home, firefighters and EMS began to render all available care to them.

Car 17 notified command that they had heavy fire pushing through the roof of the structure. Firefighters inside of the structure still were making an aggressive push knocking down a significant amount of fire. The conditions inside of the home made it difficult for firefighters to operate. Command requested the Stanford Heights Fire Department to upgrade to the scene with a ladder company, and command requested another hand line to the front door to go to work. Additional resources quickly began to arrive on scene and firefighters deployed another hand line into the structure while additional firefighters conducted a primary search inside of the building. Despite the rear of the building still having heavy fire in the kitchen area, firefighters pushed past and continued on with their primary search to make sure that there were only two individuals inside of the structure.

Firefighters were able to finish out the primary search of the building and notified command that there were no other occupants inside the structure. Firefighters continued to work inside of the building, making an aggressive interior attack, knocking down the heavy fire condition inside of the home. Firefighters inside of the structure were able to knock down all of the heavy fire conditions within the first 30 minutes of the fire. Firefighters vented the roof of the structure, allowing for the superheated gases and smoke to escape. The interior operations chief notified command that he could place the fire under control. Firefighters and EMS from the Town of Colonie worked diligently to try to save the two individuals that were inside of the home, but unfortunately, they did not survive.

The Town of Colonie Fire Services arrived on scene and began to conduct their investigation into the fire. Firefighters conducted extensive overhaul until the early hours of the morning. No other injuries were reported.

Later the next day, the two victims' names were released; 76-year-old Carroll L. Debrocky (Mother of James) and 56-year-old James M. Debrocky (Son of Carroll). The investigation into the source and origin of the fire is still ongoing at this time.

New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Town of Colonie Fire Services, Colonie Police Department, Colonie Village Fire Company, and Albany County District Attorney’s office are working to determine the cause of the fire. At this time, there is no further information that has been released publicly on the cause of the fire. Firefighters went back into service later in the morning hours.

The firefighters from the Town of Colonie demonstrated extraordinary dedication, bravery, and commitment during this tragic incident. Facing heavy fire conditions and difficult circumstances, their swift and determined actions underscore their preparedness and unwavering commitment to the community's safety. Although the outcome was heartbreaking, the residents of Colonie can take solace in knowing that their firefighters tirelessly worked with utmost courage and professionalism. It is important for residents to remember that in times of crisis and tragedy, the firefighters of the Town of Colonie stand ready and vigilant, always prepared to respond and provide assistance whenever called upon.