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A massive fire ripped through the Route 43 Mall in West Sand Lake early Thursday (February 19), injuring one firefighter and damaging multiple businesses as flames shot through the roof.
The blaze began around 3:15 a.m., according to the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they encountered flames already bursting through the roof and a dangerous natural gas leak that caused several explosions while crews worked to contain the fire.
West Sand Lake Fire Chief Lee Crosier confirmed that businesses damaged in the fire include CrossRoads American Grille and Unbreakable Nutrition, among others. The owners of Unbreakable Nutrition shared on social media that their store was a total loss, describing it as "more than just a business" but a "home filled with memories" built over nearly eight years in the community.
Firefighters faced significant challenges battling the blaze, including limited water supply in the area and freezing temperatures that made accessing water extremely difficult. One firefighter was injured when the roof collapsed but is expected to recover.
Multiple fire departments from across the region responded to help contain the fire, including crews from Averill Park, East Greenbush, and South Schodack. One firefighter at the scene noted that the quick response prevented the fire from spreading throughout the entire mall.
"If they hadn't moved as quickly as they did, it could've been the whole mall," the firefighter said.
No one was inside the building when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as authorities continue to monitor the scene.