$ 0 0 Syracuse Fire Chief Mark McLees explains why the fire is suspicious (video). Syracuse, NY -- A suspicious fire in the old Marsellus Casket Co. factory in Syracuse will likely burn throughout the day, and possibly into the next, Syracuse Fire Chief Mark McLees said this morning. No one has been injured in the fire in the vacant building. However the building has begun to collapse, the chief said. The fire is “suspicious” because the building at 101 Richmond Ave. is vacant and has no electricity flowing into it to spark the fire, McLees said. Neighbors have long worried about the building that has been vacant since 2003 when the factory closed. Smoke from the fire is drifting west across Interstate 690, and is likely being smelled throughout Onondaga County, the chief said. The part of the building with the landmark clock has begun to collapse. Firefighters were dispatched at 3:06 a.m. on the report of someone smelling smoke in the area, McLees said. Firefighters from a nearby station on Geddes Street began searching for the source of the smell and were flagged down by a civilian who pointed them to the fire in the old factory, he said. Knowing that the building has masonry walls, heavy wood floors believed to be soaked with 100 plus years of industrial oils, the chief said he decided not to risk firefighters or equipment to battle the blaze from inside the building. “We’re not putting anybody at risk,” McLees said. The company's former president, Lawrence G. English, said this morning that the company did not use oils in its woodworking process. Five ladder trucks could be seen pouring water into the upper floors of the building and flames were visible in the top floor of the four-story building. Observers said that at one point flames shot out of both sides of the upper floor. “We’ve just been surrounding it and pouring thousands, and thousands and thousands of gallons of water per minute on it,” McLees said. The roof and floors of the building have begun to collapse as the water chases flames from one part of the building to the next, he said. The fire is also being fanned west by the wind, McLees said. The 50 to 60 firefighters from six engine companies, three trucks and a rescue truck will likely pour water on the old factory throughout today and possibly into tomorrow before the fire is extinguished, he said. A Syracuse police crime scene van was also called out. The area was cordoned off. Electricity also is off in the neighborhood, leaving 316 customers without power, according to National Grid's Web site. Erie Boulevard was re-opened to traffic about 7:25 a..m. Some side streets remain closed. Residents of homes near the building were not evacuated, although the smoke may bother them, McLees said. David Vickers, an attorney with Commonfund Mortgage located nearby on Erie Boulevard, watched as firefighters fought the fire. He said firefighters have been called to small fires in the building before and that he has seen police arresting people outside the building. “Anytime you’ve got a vacant building it’s a ticking time bomb,” Vickers said. The old factory “has been a concern for all of the people in the neighborhood.” Read more: Former Marsellus Casket Co. president saddened by fire A look at the history of the company and some of the famous people buried in its caskets. Efforts to redevelop old Marsellus Casket factory fell through, broker says Coffin Maker In Syracuse Is Shut Down; 315 Jobs Lost. The New York Times, March 28, 2003. See a 2009 video on the dilapidated Marsellus Casket Co. building.