TROY, NY - On April 17, 2025, at 2:30 PM, the Northside Fire Department, along with the Boght Fire Company and the Waterford Rescue Squad, was dispatched to 72 Saratoga Avenue for a reported structure fire. The caller stated that the house was on fire. Boght Car 10 and Northside’s Car 46 called en route to the scene and notified dispatchers that smoke was visible from a great distance.

Car 46 arrived on scene to find a two-story wood-frame structure with heavy fire showing on the Bravo and Charlie sides. Command immediately transmitted a second alarm, bringing the Mechanicville Fire Department, Waterford Fire Department, Latham Fire Department, Maplewood Fire Department, and Halfmoon-Waterford Fire Department to the scene.

Command requested the police department to shut down Saratoga Avenue and confirmed the home was being evacuated. He notified dispatch that there were exposure issues and that heavy fire was traveling up the exterior wall to the second floor. Within minutes, the first-arriving engine pulled up in front of the structure. Firefighters deployed a 1¾-inch hand line to the side of the house and began knocking down the heavy fire. Additional mutual aid units arrived and established a secondary water supply near the McDonald’s.

During operations, one firefighter sustained an injury and was transported to the hospital. As the fire progressed, it extended into the attic and second floor. Heavy smoke began pushing from the eaves and roof peak. The Waterford and Mechanicville truck companies set up in front of the building and began roof operations. The Rapid Intervention Team notified command of heavy fire blowing out the back of the building from the attic.

Additional resources from the West Albany, Hillcrest, West Crescent, and Clifton Park Fire Departments were called in for manpower, as the fire had become deeply seated in the attic. Firefighters advanced to the second floor and began pulling ceilings to access the fire. Crews on the exterior knocked down heavy fire to prevent spread to neighboring structures.

Truck company firefighters reported the presence of solar panels on the roof. Command requested a ventilation hole to assess attic conditions. As conditions deteriorated, command ordered a tactical withdrawal due to heavy fire blowing through the attic. Firefighters exited the building and truck companies opened their master streams.

Master streams brought a significant portion of the fire under control. Firefighters at the rear used a blitz fire to knock down fire in the attic. Crews on the Bravo side used a hand line to re-enter the rear first floor and extinguished remaining fire there. Thick smoke continued to push from the roof, as attic fire remained inaccessible to master streams. Command authorized re-entry, and crews resumed interior attack, pulling ceilings on the second floor to reach remaining fire.

While inside, firefighters discovered two tortoises and quickly rescued them, reuniting them with their grateful owner.

The West Crescent Fire Department arrived with their truck and set up on the Delta side, cutting additional ventilation holes. During continued operations, another firefighter was injured, evaluated by EMS on scene, and transported to the hospital.

Crews remained on scene into the early evening, conducting extensive overhaul of the severely damaged structure. Firefighters pulled siding and soffit areas at the rear to check for hidden fire. Crews working from the bucket completed ventilation, later reporting that the roof had been compromised.

Multiple departments in the Town of Colonie and Saratoga County were placed on standby to ensure coverage. Both injured firefighters were evaluated and released from the hospital shortly afterward. Fire investigators arrived on scene and began their investigation into the cause of the fire. No other injuries were reported. All units returned to service just after 6:00 PM.