A fire erupted on the 200 block of Fitch Street in Syracuse, New York around 10:00 A.M. The Syracuse Fire Department was notified of two individuals still inside the house upon their arrival at the scene. Fortunately, thanks to a vigilant neighbor and the quick response of firefighters, the occupants were safely rescued. Gloria Bonaparte, a retired grandmother known for her community vigilance, was the hero of the incident. She noticed the flames on a neighbor’s porch while working on her own curtains early that morning. Bonaparte immediately called 911 and alerted her son, then rushed to the neighbor’s house, banging on windows to wake them up.
Upon realizing there were people inside, Bonaparte ensured their evacuation before the fire escalated. Thanks to her alertness, both occupants and their two cats were rescued by the fire department. Responders managed to control the fire, which caused substantial damage to the first and second-floor porches of the house. Due to the porch’s structural instability, crews had to be cautious during the operation.
The fire’s intensity caused electrical wires to burn and fall into the front yard, posing additional hazards. National Grid was called to secure the transformer, enabling firefighters to combat the blaze safely. Two individuals were displaced as a result of the fire but are receiving assistance from the Red Cross. The Syracuse Fire Investigators determined that the fire originated on the front porch, though the exact cause remains under investigation.