Demolition of the Jay Street apartment buildings gutted by a massive fire is expected to start soon to determine the origin and cause of the fire and begin recovery efforts.
Police Lt. Mark McCracken said Sunday morning that 100-102 and 104 Jay St. would be taken apart, piece by piece, to stabilize the buildings and allow for investigators to search the complex.
“They have to stabilize the structure first, then dismantle it so they can start sifting through the evidence to determine the cause of the fire as well as recovery of any human remains,” McCracken said.
Investigators with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were documenting inside the buildings on Sunday. Two men were inside a basket suspended by a crane taking photos above the buildings looking in.
The investigation is expected to continue throughout the week, according to city Building Inspector Eric Shilling. It is unclear when demolition would begin.
The fire broke out around 2 a.m. Friday morning leaving several people missing, seven hospitalized and about 60 displaced.
The condition of the people hospitalized is unknown, McCracken said. The number of people unaccounted for is also unclear at this time. McCracken said more than one person is believed to be missing.
The Schenectady Police Department is asking anyone who lived in the buildings to call the tips line at 788-6566. The police are interviewing displaced residents to determine who lived in the buildings and who might have been inside during the fire.
“We’re trying to figure out who was living there and who might have been spending the night visiting,” McCracken said. “Everyone who was living there or inside the buildings is being formally interviewed.”
Family members and friends searching for people who lived in the buildings can check the “Safe and Well” portion of the Red Cross website at safeandwell.communityos.org.
About 12 people are being housed at Christ Church on State Street, which was setup as a shelter on Friday by the American Red Cross.
Donations are being directed to the Salvation Army at 222 LaFayette St. Monetary donations can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or by going to www.redcross.org.
The Schenectady Police Department, Fire Department, investigators with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and an ATF National Response Team remain on the scene Sunday.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
