A two-alarm fire began to blaze this morning in the city of Binghamton, New York, at around 07:40 am, to where heavy smoke could be seen pouring out of a four-story brick building which was the former Derby Fashion Outlet building at 301 Water Street around Clinton Street. The high volume of smoke was reported being seen from several neighboring community around the City of Binghamton
The fire response was upgraded to a second alarm while firefighters heading to the scene, Binghamton Fire Chief Daniel Thomas said.
Crews remained outside the building to fight the fire due to the heat. These types of fires can be especially difficult to knock down and combat for extinguishment. The warehouse was believed to be abandoned also.
When they arrived, firefighters saw fire coming from multiple floors in the four-story brick building and heavy smoke, Thomas said. Because of the intense heat and fears of a possible collapse, firefighters set up about 75 feet from the building and poured water into the building using aerial trucks.
Part of the building collapsed as Binghamton firefighters were entering their fifth hour of putting out a fire at 301 Water Street in the former Derby Factory Outlet building. There are no reports of injuries.
After firefighting operations were into the fifth hour, portions of the third & fourth floors, and the roof had collapsed; another major collapse happened about 45 minutes later. The building is a total loss, Thomas said.
About 40 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the fire that was under control, but not extinguished by mid-morning. No one was hurt in the fire.
Due to a fire at the Derby Building located at 301 Water Street in downtown Binghamton, the Broome County Health Department had issued a respiratory alert for those in the vicinity of the fire. This included, center city extending northeast between Front Street and Brandywine Ave Route 7. Humid conditions had prolonged smoke dissipation in the area. Those located within this area were advised to take precautions and to avoid unnecessary smoke inhalation by staying indoors and avoid travel in the area of the warehouse fire till containment/extinguishment was completed by the Binghamton Fire department.
