ALBANY, NY - On December 4, 2025, at 11:48 a.m., multiple calls poured into the City of Albany’s Emergency Communications Center reporting a well-involved structure fire at 239 Western Avenue, with multiple reports of entrapment inside the building. Engine 10, Engine 7, Engine 2, Engine 11, Truck 3, Truck 2, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Rescue 1, the Battalion Chief, and the Rescue Squad responded to the scene.

As units were responding, a heavy plume of black smoke was visible throughout the city from the fire location. Engine 10 immediately contacted the dispatcher and advised they had a Signal 30, requesting the frequency be dedicated prior to their arrival. Engine 11 arrived on scene and immediately transmitted a second alarm after encountering heavy fire pushing from the front of the structure, with a second building also on fire and confirmed entrapment of multiple individuals.

Firefighters immediately deployed an inch-and-three-quarter handline and began knocking down heavy fire at the front of the structure. Despite suppression efforts, heavy fire continued to consume both the front and interior of the building. While crews were operating, a person on the second floor jumped from a window to escape the extreme fire conditions inside. On the second alarm assignment, Engine 1, Engine 9, and Truck 4 were requested to the scene.

Engine 11’s officer notified the dispatcher of confirmed entrapment, reporting multiple people trapped on the second floor with heavy fire throughout. Firefighters quickly threw ladders to the Bravo side of the structure as crews made an aggressive interior push. Firefighters operating on the second floor located a victim and dragged the individual out of the heavily involved structure. Medics from Mohawk Ambulance Service immediately took over patient care, placed the victim on a stretcher, and rushed them to an awaiting ambulance. Command requested additional ambulances, as reports indicated more victims were still trapped inside.

Firefighters continued aggressive interior operations and knockdown efforts while conducting a primary search. Command was able to confirm through the first victim that three additional people remained trapped inside the structure. During operations in the primary fire building, a dog was rescued from the exposure building. Police officers immediately assisted in reviving the dog and administering oxygen.

Command requested a third advanced life support ambulance and Rescue 9, as victims were still unaccounted for. Firefighters operating in the exposure building encountered heavy fire in the cockloft and requested a handline to the second floor. Crews began pulling ceilings after fire from the primary structure extended into the secondary building. Truck company firefighters accessed the roof of the exposure building and initiated horizontal ventilation.

Exterior crews also conducted horizontal ventilation to assist interior operations in both buildings. As operations continued, heavy brown smoke pushed from the roof of the primary structure, and turbulent smoke was observed coming from the eaves of the secondary building. Firefighters notified command they were exiting with a second victim and required assistance. Multiple firefighters entered the structure, met crews on the upper floor, and assisted in carrying the victim down the stairs. EMTs immediately brought a stretcher to the front of the building and transported the victim to an ambulance while CPR was initiated.

Firefighters operating on the second floor of the exposure building requested an additional handline due to heavy fire in the attic area. A third victim was subsequently removed from the structure and transported to Albany Medical Center.

The victim who jumped from the second-floor window of the primary building was also transported to Albany Medical Center. Dispatch notified the hospital of multiple fire victims en route, including one in full traumatic cardiac arrest with CPR in progress. Command confirmed a total of four fire victims from the incident.

As operations continued, a significant portion of the front porch and Alpha side of the primary structure was deemed unstable. Command ordered all crews to exit the main fire building and conducted an accountability check. Firefighters continued operations in the exposure building, where fire remained in the attic and wall spaces. Exterior crews utilized handlines to extinguish hot spots along the exterior and second-floor window areas.

Multiple firefighters exchanged air bottles and returned to the front lines, re-entering the structures to continue aggressive interior operations. As firefighting efforts progressed, fire investigators began their on-scene investigation. Additional resources from the City of Albany’s Code Enforcement Division, Engineering Division, and Community Resources Division responded and stood by to assist as needed. Command also requested the Red Cross, as more than a dozen displaced residents required assistance.

Fire continued to flare up in attic spaces and exterior areas of both buildings, particularly on the Delta side of the exposure structure. Heavy smoke persisted from the attic of the primary building. Interior crews accessed attic spaces using attic ladders and an additional handline to extinguish remaining fire. Firefighters conducted secondary searches in both buildings, which were negative.

During the incident, the City of Albany Fire Department was heavily taxed with simultaneous emergency medical calls, leaving limited resources available citywide. Despite the significant demand, no mutual aid companies were requested.

Firefighters remained on scene into the late afternoon hours. Fire investigators continued working for several days following the incident. A total of three victims were rescued by Albany firefighters. The victim who jumped from the second-floor window was listed in critical but stable condition. Two victims were transferred to Westchester Medical Center’s Burn Unit for further treatment. Tragically, several days later, both female victims succumbed to their injuries despite the exhaustive efforts of City of Albany Fire Department paramedics, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Albany Medical Center staff, and Westchester Medical Center personnel. The cause of the fire has not been released.

Incidents of this nature are extremely high-stress and adrenaline-charged, pushing firefighters to their absolute limits—especially when civilians are trapped inside a well-involved structure fire. The collective efforts of all firefighters on scene, who executed an aggressive interior attack while conducting determined primary searches under extreme conditions, should not go unnoticed. Aggressive firefighting tactics remain critical in today’s fire service, and on December 4, 2025, the firefighters of the City of Albany Fire Department demonstrated unwavering dedication to their craft and to the residents they serve.

The residents of the City of Albany can be confident that their safety is in capable and committed hands.