One person has died after a fire in Utica on the 1000 block of Dudley Avenue, according to the Utica Fire Department.
At around 4:29 p.m. on April 1, a call went out for a structure fire in progress and the Utica Fire Department was dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival of car four, black smoke was seen coming from the first and second floor of a 2 1/2 story brick residence.
As Deputy Chief Kelly was doing a size up of the structure he received reports of a several people possibly trapped on the second floor. With this added information, and fire on both floors a second alarm was called. Engine 3 and 1 began to stretch hand-lines into the building to begin suppression.
With the reports of possibly several trapped on the second floor Rescue 2 and Truck 2 began an aggressive primary search.
Search crews under heavy smoke, heat, and fire conditions located an unconscious victim on the second floor, officials said.
“The male victim was removed from the second floor of the structure and after he was brought outside, members of the Utica Fire Department immediately started CPR and started rendering aid,” UFD Chief Scott Ingersoll said. “The victim was transported via Utica Fire Department ambulance to Wynn Hospital, where they ultimately succumbed [and was declared dead.]”
Ingersoll said the name of the victim will not be released until the next-of-kin has been notified. Until then, an investigation is currently underway with the Utica Police Department and the Utica Fire Marshall’s Office.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time,” Ingersoll added.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: One person dead after fire in Utica, investigation underway
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
