Syracuse (WSYR-TV) For the third time in 12 hours, Syracuse firefighters collected their gear and raced to a reported fire on Sunday.
Just after 12:30 p.m. Onondaga County 911 dispatchers sent emergency crews to a house fire on Manilla Street.
Smoke and flames engulfed the front of the home as firefighters tried to determine if everyone had made it out safely.
Crews were still at the scene, trying to extinguish the fire an hour later.
Three generations lived in the home, according to a man who spoke to Newschannel 9 at the scene. He said his daughter and her children also escaped, but they were still looking for family pets.
"I yelled when I was in the kitchen looking at the fire, I yelled 'Lisa, Lisa, get the baby and get out,'" said Joseph Brooks, who spotted small flames at first and sent his grandson to get a fire extinguisher from a neighbor.
"By that time it was getting really hot. He asked the next door neighbor. He didn't have one. By the time he got one it was too hot so we called the fire department," said Brooks.
Due to the heat and humidity, firefighters rotated shifts to take breaks. The Red Cross was on scene to make sure firefighters stayed cool and hydrated.
"We're looking for hand towels we can soak in cold water and put around firemen's necks to keep them from passing out. It cools their body temperature down," said Mike Kinanan with the Red Cross.
Overnight, Syracuse firefighters were called to two other fires, including one at 804 Spring Street. According to the American Red Cross, two children and one adult were taken to Upstate University Hospital for treatment, shortly after that fire around 1:00 a.m.
Investigators charged Nateasha Davis, 18, of Syracuse with Arson and Reckless Endangerment in connection with a fire at 216 West Colvin Street. Crews were called to the scene at 12:45.
Police say Davis had an argument earlier in the day with the downstairs tenant in the building. Investigators believe she returned later and set a fire on the back porch. Witnesses told police they saw Davis running from the scene after the fire. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Syracuse City Court on Monday.
Three families lived in the home. Everyone escaped.
