The Herkimer Fire Department responded to a 911 dispatch call at 11:09 a.m. of a possible structure fire with smoke coming from the eaves at Body Dimensions Health and Fitness, 211 Protection Avenue, according to Chief John Spanfelner.
“When we arrived it was through the roof already,” said Spanfelner in a phone interview. “We feel it was burning for a while (before the call by a passerby).”
The flames engulfed the roof in a matter of minutes.
Firefighters from the East Herkimer and Ilion departments assisted in the effort to open doors, break windows, and gain different hose access points. This included several officers taking position on the neighboring roof.
After about an hour most of the building’s roof had collapsed, and the aerial ladder hose was used to soak the interior, according to Spanfelner. A water curtain was used to prevent the spread of the flames to the next house.
“Pretty much I believe it is a total loss,” said Spanfelner. He explained there is extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the building, owned by Vincent Carbone, of Herkimer.
There were no injuries reported, and the fitness center was not in use at the time of the fire.
Residents of the Galinsky apartment complex gathered on the lawn and several moved vehicles in the parking lot adjacent to the burning building.
Spanfelner said the parking lot provided enough separation to not require an evacuation of the apartments.
Other neighborhood residents watched the fire from across the street.
The investigation as to the specifics of the fire is ongoing.
MOVAC, the Herkimer Police Department and Herkimer County Emergency Coordinator Robert Vandawalker also responded to the mutual aid call.
Herkimer, N.Y. —
