PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2012 Contact: Sean Maguire, Public Information Officer Mobile: (518) 435-5428 smaguire@westmerefd.org

NORTH BETHELEHEM FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTS TRAINING TO WORK BY EXTINGUISHING HOUSE FIRE BETHLEHEM, NY Just before 6:30pm, the North Bethlehem Fire Department and its mutual aid companies responded to a reported structure fire at 43 Monroe Avenue. North Bethlehem Fire Chief Paul Fuino reported that upon arrival, firefighters found a fully involved structure fire are the home. The home was reportedly vacant and no one was inside. Crews arrived to a fire that was heavily involved in the garage and first floor. Firefighters made an aggressive attack to prevent the fire from further damaging the structure and a neighboring home. "This fire occurred while our firefighters were at the fire house for their weekly training drill, said Chief Fuino noting that crews were able to respond quickly to the scene. While we were concerned with putting the fire out in the structure of origin, we were also concerned with secondary exposure at the neighboring home and garage. The vacant home sustained significant fire damage to the garage and first floor. The second floor of the home also sustained fire damage. A neighboring home sustained exterior heat damage causing its vinyl siding to buckle and melt. The neighboring garage, which was closest to the structure of origin, also sustained heat and fire damage due to its proximity. The fire was discovered by a neighbor who called 911. McKownville Fire Chief Russ Becker also came across the fire just before the fire departments were dispatched. The North Bethlehem Fire Department was assisted by mutual aid companies from the McKownville and Westmere Fire Departments. The Fort Hunter Fire Company provided a rapid intervention team to assist the fire departments. Emergency medical support was provided by Albany County Paramedics and the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by authorities. ###