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An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a fire that broke out in Albany's West Hill neighborhood on Tuesday (January 7). The fire started in a vacant building on the 600 block of Third Street and quickly spread to an adjacent structure. Firefighters faced challenging conditions, battling the blaze amid strong winds, extreme cold, and ice. Despite these difficulties, no injuries were reported among civilians or firefighters.
The Albany Fire Department received multiple calls about the fire at 610 Third Street around 2:47 PM. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire throughout the vacant structure. The flames spread to the neighboring building at 608 Third Street, prompting the call for additional units. According to CBS 6 Albany, both buildings sustained extensive damage and may need to be demolished.
Third Street between North Manning Boulevard and Ontario Street was closed to all traffic while fire operations were underway. Crews are expected to remain on the scene to monitor the unstable buildings, especially with ongoing winds. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. News10 ABC reported that the investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.