NORWICH - On Sunday morning, at about 9:14 p.m. the City of Norwich Fire Department was dispatched for the report of a structure fire located at 6 & 6A Griffin Street in the City of Norwich.

The duty crew responded and were on scene within one minute of alarm reporting a working fire with smoke and flames visible from two sides of a multi-family home.

The home consisted of a large 2-1/2 story wood framed duplex.

Crews entered the apartment building and were met by extreme temperatures, fire and smoke conditions within both apartments.

Along with considerable fire on the exterior of the home and back porch. An aggressive coordinated interior and exterior fire attack was initiated, along with searching for occupants on all floors, ventilation, utility mitigation and water supply establishment.

The fire department was able to bring the fire under control within an hour of arrival. Crews continued with overhaul, checking for extension and property conservation. Along with assisting the occupants of both apartments with the retrieval of personal belongings from the home. The home sustained extensive fire, smoke and heat damage to the rear of the building, interior first and second floors and majority of apartment 6A.

Norwich Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Sherburne Fire Department RIT, Oxford Fire with Engine company, North Norwich Fire with Engine company, Plymouth Fire for Engine company standby, Norwich Police Department, Codes Department, NYSEG, Chenango County Sheriffs, Norwich Fire Rehab, and American Red Cross.

An investigation was conducted by members of the City of Norwich Fire Department, County Office of Emergency Services, Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature and involved discarded ashes from a prior campfire with the remaining ashes placed in a garbage bag on the rear porch of the home.

The department would like to thank all members, mutual aid companies and outside agencies for your assistance. And a reminder to make sure your home has working smoke detectors.

There were no reported injuries to firefighters. Two occupants of the home were evaluated at the scene by EMS. None were transported.

- Information from the City of Norwich Fire Department