ALBANY, NY — On April 26, 2025, just before 1:00 AM, the City of Albany's Fire Department was dispatched to 200 Washington Avenue for a reported structure fire. During the investigation, crews held the first-due engine company and truck company on scene. As firefighters were clearing that incident, the dispatcher notified the Battalion Chief that another structure fire had been reported at 188 Colonie Street. The caller stated that the house next door was on fire, and the dispatcher was receiving multiple calls regarding the incident.

Engine Two, Engine Eleven, Rescue Two, Truck Two, Engine One, Engine Seven, Truck Four, the Rescue Squad, Mohawk Ambulance Service, and the Battalion Chief all responded to the scene.

As apparatus responded, a massive glow from the house was visible from several blocks away. Engine Two notified the dispatcher that they had a Signal 30 working fire with heavy fire in one structure and multiple exposure issues. The fire had already spread to the building next door. Engine Two requested a second alarm immediately, which brought in Rescue One, Engine Five, and another truck company once it cleared from a prior call. The City of Troy Fire Department, City of Watervliet Fire Department, and Watervliet Arsenal Fire Department were brought into the City of Albany to handle additional calls while Albany firefighters worked the scene.

Firefighters from Engine One immediately established a water supply. Firefighters from Engine Two deployed a 1¾-inch hand line through the front door of the structure, while the truck company set up in the roadway and placed their ladder to the roof. Crews advanced into the structure and made their way to the third floor.

Another 1¾-inch hand line was deployed to the rear of the building, which was heavily involved. Firefighters conducted a rapid primary search to ensure all occupants were out. As additional units arrived, firefighters evacuated the buildings on both sides of the main fire building. Crews encountered significant fire conditions on the third floor and in the roof. A second hand line was advanced through the front door, and firefighters called for the pump operator to charge the line as it reached the third floor.

Command updated the dispatcher, reporting that three buildings were now involved, with heavy fire in the rear. Firefighters pushed into the secondary structure on the Bravo side to knock down the fire that had jumped to the adjoining building.

Ladder One set up in the roadway and extended its ladder to the roof of the Bravo exposure building. The pump operator advised command of a water supply issue, prompting firefighters to quickly reestablish it. Crews in the rear deployed a BlitzFire monitor off the engine and ran it down the alleyway between buildings. As firefighters on the third floor worked to knock down fire conditions, those in the rear called for the BlitzFire to be charged, and it was used to suppress heavy fire.

The bright glow in the early morning sky quickly turned to steam. Firefighters inside confirmed to command that all occupants had been accounted for.

As operations continued on the third floor, conditions worsened as fire extended into the roof and cockloft. Firefighters reported heavy fire pushing from the cockloft area and threatening the Delta exposure. About twenty minutes into the incident, firefighters rotated out to the first floor to replace air bottles. The pump operator from Engine One climbed atop the rig and used the deck gun to knock down a large portion of the fire from the front of the building. However, heavy fire conditions persisted along the rear roofline.

As crews were pulling out of the building, an officer inside alerted command that the floor was structurally compromised due to multiple holes. Command ordered all firefighters to evacuate the third floor. In the front, the truck company established a water supply to utilize their master streams to knock down fire along the roofline. Crews working in the exposure buildings successfully brought the fire under control in those areas using hand lines to suppress fire extension.

A resident on the second floor informed the Battalion Chief that their dogs were still inside. Firefighters conducted a thorough secondary search and located two of the three dogs, reuniting them with their owner. Command staff coordinated the use of master streams from both the truck company and the BlitzFire to bring the overall fire under control. After some time, firefighters were allowed back inside to continue overhaul operations, which continued into the early morning hours.

Mutual aid companies handled numerous additional calls throughout the city while Albany firefighters remained on scene. No injuries were reported, and as of this time, it is unknown whether the third dog was located. The Red Cross assisted all displaced occupants. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.