Schenectady fire displaces 13

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

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Firefighters were busy fighting two simultaneous blazes in Schenectady on Wednesday afternoon.

Thirteen people were displaced as a result of a blaze that broke out around 12:30 p.m. at 1137 Congress St. The fire began on the porch and spread to the left side of the house and an adjacent structure, according to Deputy Fire Chief Vincent Krawiecki.

It took about 45 minutes to get the fire under control. “There was extension to the attic on both structures. We had to chase it around and put out the hot spots,” he said.

Two firefighters suffered smoke inhalation. “They were outside and the wind changed on them. It blew the smoke on them,” he said.

They were taken to Ellis Hospital where they were treated and released.

The Red Cross is assisting the five adults and eight children displaced by the fire.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause but Krawiecki said it doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

As firefighters were pulling up to the Congress Street fire, another blaze was reported on Foster Avenue.

“It doesn’t happen a lot,” Krawiecki said.

Niskayuna and Scotia fire companies handled the Foster Avenue call, which was only a small attic fire.