Firefighters did not find anyone in the house at 2248 South Ave. (video).
Syracuse, NY - Syracuse firefighters battled commuters this morning as well as a fire on the South Avenue hill across from St. Agnes Cemetery on the South Side.
The fire in the green and white Victorian house at 2248 South Ave. was reported at 6:59 a.m., just in time for the morning commute.
Syracuse firefighters cut through the roof of burning house at 2248 South Ave. this morning.When firefighters arrived they found flames shooting out of doors and windows, said Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Daly. As firefighters set to work, commuters who use South Avenue to travel into downtown Syracuse or up to the hospitals at the top of the
hill got in the way as they slowed to watch the action, he said.
"All the commuters on the hill apparently thought it was more important to go to work than to let us operate," Daly said.
Police moved in quickly to shut off traffic on South Avenue for a block in either direction.
The house contains apartments, but is vacant, Daly said. Firefighters were told that squatters have been in the building, he said.
Firefighters searched the building but did not find anyone.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, which was put out within 15 minutes, Daly said.