News

Mar 29, 2025

Fire engulfs Ithaca apartment on Chestnut Street; no injuries reported

After the Tompkins 911 center began receiving multiple calls reporting a fire in the 700 block of Chestnut Street in Ithaca’s downtown, Ithaca fire crews en route to the scene at about 5:12 p.m.

After the Tompkins 911 center began receiving multiple calls reporting a fire in the 700 block of Chestnut Street in Ithaca’s downtown, Ithaca fire crews en route to the scene at about 5:12 p.m. Thursday could see a large column of smoke, according to a statement from the department.

A third alarm was immediately struck to bring off-duty firefighters in and to request coverage from Cayuga Heights and Newfield Fire Departments for additional calls in the city and town of Ithaca during the incident.

Firefighters arrived on Chestnut Street to find a heavy volume of fire and smoke, the department said.

The fire was under control in about 25 minutes and personnel remained on the scene for about three hours, extinguishing hot spots.

Bangs Ambulance, Ithaca Police, NYSEG, and the Red Cross also responded to the scene.

The occupant of the apartment was not home at the time and no injuries occurred, according to the statement.

The apartment was completely destroyed, but the multiple adjacent apartments remain habitable, the department said. What caused the fire is not known at this time and fire investigators are currently working to decide.