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Authorities continue to investigate what sparked a massive fire at the 43 Mall in West Sand Lake that destroyed multiple businesses early Thursday morning.
Firefighters received calls around 3:15 a.m. on Thursday (February 19) and arrived to find heavy smoke and flames shooting through the roof of the Route 43 shopping center. According to NEWS10 ABC, West Sand Lake firefighters remained on scene for 12 hours straight, supported by at least 12 departments from surrounding communities.
Four businesses were completely destroyed in the blaze: Unbreakable Nutrition, Crossroads American Grille, Smoke Boulevard, and Warner and Foley Insurance. Lee Sun Chinese and a vacant hair salon sustained smoke and water damage. Elissa Wehnau, owner of Unbreakable Nutrition, expressed her heartbreak in a Facebook post, calling the shop her "forever place."
West Sand Lake Fire Chief Lee Crosier explained that the fire jumped one firewall and spread into the cock loft before a second firewall contained it. Firefighters faced multiple challenges battling the flames. Two hydrants failed, and crews couldn't locate building blueprints for the aging structure. WNYT reports that a ruptured natural gas line caused several explosions during firefighting operations, though National Grid crews eventually shut down the gas supply.
Four firefighters sustained injuries during the response. Two were struck when the roof collapsed, and two others slipped on ice at a fill site. Chief Crosier said all four are doing well.
Town officials confirmed that the 43 Mall dates back to the early 1950s and has undergone numerous renovations over the decades. All current tenants were up to date on their annual fire inspections as required by New York State Fire Code. The Times Union notes this isn't the first time disaster has struck the mall—a previous fire destroyed nine units in 1980, with the site being rebuilt two years later.
National Grid shut down 10 gas services at the emergency site, with five restored and five remaining off until safety inspections are complete. Investigators do not believe gas caused the fire, though it intensified the situation.
The exact cause remains under investigation by Rensselaer County authorities. Businesses not damaged by the fire are expected to reopen Friday.