On July 26, 2026, at 5:16 PM, the Rensselaer County Emergency Communication Center and East Greenbush Police Department dispatch center began taking multiple calls for a working structure fire at 206 3rd Avenue extension. Multiple callers reported the garage and a truck on fire in the driveway. The Clinton Heights Fire Department and Defreestville Fire Department for the rapid intervention crew was dispatched to the scene. As the call was being dispatched, a large black column of smoke was visible for miles from the scene. Clinton Heights car one immediately transmitted the second alarm as there was reports of extension to the home. The second alarm brought the Best Luther Fire Department, and East Greenbush Fire Department to the scene with the Castleton Fire Department to standby in Clinton Heights Fire Department station.

The first arriving chief on scene immediately confirmed he had a working structure fire with exposure issues, and the side of the house was beginning to catch fire. Engine eight-five arrived on scene within minutes of the dispatch and firefighters quickly deployed an inch and three-quarter hand line and began to go to work knocking down the heavy fire condition. Firefighters from the Defreestville Fire Department arrived quickly behind the first due engine and firefighters diverted from their rapid intervention crew duties and began to assist with fire suppression. Firefighters deployed the supply line off the first due engine and established a hydrant nearby. Firefighters began to get the incident under control. Firefighters checked for extension to the house but did not have any other then melted siding.

Additional units arrived on scene and deployed an additional hand line down the driveway and began to hit hotspots inside of the garage. Command immediately requested the City of Rensselaer’s fire investigation team to the scene as firefighters previously had another working garage fire at this address in March 2026. Firefighters notified command that they had the fire under control and firefighters hit the remaining hot spots. Command told all units once the hotspots are knocked down to hold off on overhaul until fire investigators could arrive on scene and begin their investigation.

Police units on scene quickly established a crime scene around the home. Firefighters moved out to the front lawn after all of the hotspots had been knocked down. Fire Investigator’s quickly arrived on scene and began to conduct their investigation into the fire as this was the second time this house has had a garage fire since March. After the fire was determined to be out firefighters picked up the supply line and assisted the first due engine and getting their equipment back in service on scene. No injuries were reported, the fire is currently under investigation at this time. Due to the aggressive tactics and rapid response of the first due engine company out of the Clinton Heights Fire Department firefighters were able to successfully prevent the fire from spreading to the home.