UPDATE (1:09 p.m. Wednesday) — This story was updated with additional information from Lansing Fire Chief Scott Purcell.
LANSING, N.Y. — The Lansing Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire that ignited early Tuesday morning at the University Park Apartments on Uptown Road in Lansing. The investigation is ongoing, but Lansing Fire Chief Scott Purcell said the fire does not look “suspicious or malicious at this time.”
The fire was reported at 2:05 a.m. Tuesday. Purcell said it took 45 minutes to knock down the flames, but firefighters remained on the scene for about 12 hours to investigate the fire. In addition to the Lansing Fire Department, Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Varna fire departments responded. Bangs Ambulance and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.
Nine people lost their homes in the fire, Purcell said, and about 15 people were displaced in total that night. No one was injured. Volunteers from the American Red Cross were on scene to help the people who were displaced.
According to the Red Cross, “assistance typically includes funding for temporary housing, food and clothing as needed, and specially-trained Disaster Mental Health volunteers are available to help those affected deal with the emotional aspect of their disaster. The families will meet with caseworkers in the coming days to work on long-term recovery plans.”
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LANSING, N.Y. — Firefighters from Lansing and nearby departments are at the scene of an apartment fire that ignited overnight at the University Park Apartments on Uptown Road in Lansing. Several people have been displaced, but no one was injured, according to reports from the scene
The fire was reported at 2:05 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Tompkins County 911 Center. Firefighters were still working on the scene of the apartments at 87 Uptown Road as of about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross are assisting the nine people who were displaced overnight.
According to the Red Cross, “assistance typically includes funding for temporary housing, food and clothing as needed, and specially-trained Disaster Mental Health volunteers are available to help those affected deal with the emotional aspect of their disaster. The families will meet with caseworkers in the coming days to work on long-term recovery plans.”
In addition to the Lansing Fire Department, Cayuga Heights, Dryden and Varna fire departments responded. Bangs Ambulance and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.
Featured image: Lansing firefighters are at the scene of an apartment fire on Uptown Road in Lansing. (Photo by Anna Lamb/The Ithaca Voice)