One Taken to Upstate Following 2nd Alarm Blaze in Cortland; No Working Smoke Detectors Found Inside

*Note: This story has been updated with additional information*

Around 2:30 Friday morning, Cortland Fire was dispatched to 213 Tompkins Street for a reported structure fire. County 9-1-1 reported a passerby on Tompkins Street saw fire coming from the two-story structure that houses a barber shop on the first floor. Shortly after the first call, 9-1-1 received a second call from the occupant of the building.

First arriving on scene was Battalion Chief Travis Marshall, Cortland Fire says, who reported fire evident from the first floor side window and heavy black smoke emanating from the eaves. Cortland Fire says recent renovations of the building added living space on the second floor of the building.

Firefighters worked with Cortland Police, who also responded, to confirm all occupants were out of the building. Firefighters then went inside the building to begin an interior attack of the fire and a secondary search to confirm everyone was out.

A 2nd alarm, all-hands call was dispatched to bring in additional resources and manpower to the scene. Cortlandville, Homer, and Virgil Fire Departments were requested to the scene with McGraw requested for standby coverage for Cortland. Cortland Fire also requested Cortlandville’s ladder truck to the scene.

Fire conditions on scene quickly deteriorated with the second floor becoming compromised and beginning to bow. Firefighters were removed from inside the building and began to fight the fire from the exterior.

City of Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman says the fire was under control in about 30 minutes. He added the building suffered significant fire, smoke, and water damage. He also noted that the building did not have any working smoke detectors. The occupants of the building claim to have had smoke detectors in place.

“The outcome for the occupants could have been a lot different as there were no operating smoke detectors”, according to Fire Chief Wayne Friedman. “We cannot emphasize the importance of having enough properly working smoke detectors in a home. It can literally mean life or death”.

One person was also transported to Upstate University Hospital with burn injuries, Friedman added. Tompkins Street was closed for several hours while firefighters were on scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. Cortland Fire’s Investigation Division and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigation Bureau are on scene investigating.

No firefighters were injured.

The residents are being assisted by the Red Cross, Friedman told X101 News.

Additionally on scene was the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, National Grid, and NYSEG.