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Far distance of hydrants creates challenge in fighting garage fire in Whitesboro

By ANDREW DONOVAN

Story Created: Dec 23, 2010 at 3:04 AM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 23, 2010 at 11:57 AM EDT

WHITESBORO, N.Y. (WKTV) - Several fire agencies were on the scene of a massive structure fire at a garage on Oriskany Boulevard early Thursday morning. It is believed the fire was at one of the buildings owned by Burrows Trucking & Excavating.

Plumes of thick, black smoke could be seen pouring out of the building high into the sky. Every few minutes, a series of small explosions could be heard inside.

The fire completely consumed the building and it was completely destroyed, along with its contents. From outside, a large front grill of a destroyed truck could be seen sitting among the remnants.

Around 1:00 a.m., Oriskany Boulevard was shut down due to traffic. There were no fire hydrants close by, which made for tough conditions battling the flames. Tankers were filled at the hydrant, about a half mile down the street, and brought back to the scene where they were dumped into porta-ponds.

Whitesboro, Clayville, Maynard, Floyd, Westmoreland, Oriskany and Clark Mills Fire Departments along with local police agencies and New York State Police were all on the scene.

Fire crews were on the scene until daybreak Thursday continuting to battle the massive flames and smoldering smoke. An investigation will take place Thursday.

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