PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2014 Contact: Sean Maguire

Mobile: (518) 435-5428
E-Mail: smaguire@westmerefire.org
Follow: @GuilderlandCar8

Westmere, Mutual Aid Departments Respond to Apartment Fire

GUILDERLAND Volunteers from the Westmere Fire Department and mutual aid companies were
called to the Regency Park Apartments for a reported fire just before 3:30am on Sunday morning. Upon
arrival, Westmeres Assistant Chief Tony Carrow reported a fully involved fire at the rear of a three-story
apartment building. According to officials, the first arriving firefighters pulled a hose to the rear of the
building to start an immediate attack on the fire. Additional firefighters were deployed to perform a
search and evacuation of the entire apartment building. Chief Henry Smith indicated that it took about
45 minutes for firefighters to bring the fire under control.

Investigators determined that the fire started on the back porch of a third-floor apartment. The cause of
the fire appears to be accidental and due to the improper disposal of hot charcoals. Officials indicated that
about six apartment units were directly impacted by the fire and associated smoke and water damage.
The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.

Cooking grills should only be used outdoors and placed away from the home, including deck railings
and out from under building eaves, stated Chief Smith. When you are done cooking with charcoals, let
the coals completely cool before disposing them in a metal container.

The layout and terrain of the apartment complex provided some challenges for firefighters, including
limited access for the ladder trucks. As a result, firefighters quickly deployed ground ladders and hoses to
attack the fire and prevent it from spreading past a fire separation wall. Once the fire was under control,
crews checked for extension of the fire into other apartments to ensure that it was fully extinguished.
Crews remained on scene until shortly after 8 oclock Sunday morning. Westmere was assisted by
volunteers from the Fort Hunter, Guilderland, Guilderland Center, McKownville, and North Bethlehem
Fire Departments.

No injuries were reported by residents or firefighters. A pet cat did not survive the fire.

###