RENSSELAER, NY – The City of Rensselaer Fire Department, along with Mohawk Ambulance Service, was dispatched to a reported structure fire on August 9, 2025, at 8:19 AM at 6 Broadway. The caller reported something smoldering behind a cabinet inside the residence.

As apparatus were en route, Ladder One notified the dispatcher that they observed a heavy column of black smoke visible from Broadway in the clear morning sky. The Chief confirmed the heavy smoke condition and requested retransmission of the alarm as a working structure fire, striking a second alarm. This brought the East Greenbush, Defreestville, and Clinton Heights Fire Departments to the scene, with the Wynantskill Fire Department standing by at the North Station to cover the City of Rensselaer.

Engine Two and Ladder One arrived on scene and reported a working porch fire in the rear of the structure. Firefighters immediately deployed a hand line to the rear porch area and began knocking down the heavy fire.

At the front of the structure, firefighters encountered an impeded walkway, making entry difficult and posing a risk of snagging their hand line on various obstacles.

While Command conducted a quick walk-around, they observed significant smoke pushing from the second floor and attic area. Firefighters made immediate entry, completed a primary search, and notified Command that all occupants were accounted for.

Additional resources arrived quickly, and firefighters began checking for fire extension on both the first and second floors. Those working on the rear porch pulled apart the porch roof and overhauled all items involved in the fire.

Firefighters on the second floor encountered heavy smoke and vented the windows to improve visibility. They conducted a search using a thermal imaging camera to ensure no fire extension. Firefighters on the first floor overhauled the main fire area inside the home.

Overhaul continued on the exterior, with crews accessing the roof to check for extension due to significant smoke pushing from the attic. Command requested the Schodack Valley Fire Department to the scene with their air bank to refill air bottles.

Firefighters continued their interior operations, checking for any extension. Those on the roof reported to Command that there was no fire extension into the roof—only residual smoke. Ventilation fans were used to clear remaining smoke from the home.

National Grid secured the power and gas to the residence, and Command requested the Code Enforcement Officer to the scene.

Firefighters worked through much of the morning. No injuries were reported, and the fire remains under investigation. Crews returned to service later in the morning.

Due to the aggressive and coordinated response by the City of Rensselaer Fire Department, the fire was brought under control quickly and efficiently, preventing the spread to other areas of the home.