UPDATE: Former Pulaski Library to be razed after Wednesday morning fire
Crews battle fire at former Pulaski Library (Photo: Al Fulton / WHEC)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Crews battled a two-alarm fire at the former Pulaski Library on Hudson Avenue and Norton Street on the city’s north side on Wednesday morning.
The building, which has been vacant for nearly three decades, will have to be razed in the coming days, as city building and fire officials have determined that the two-story structure now poses a significant damage.
“This is a very unfortunate outcome for an important and historic building,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans.
No one was injured in the fire at the historic building. The Rochester Fire Department arrived at the scene around 5:35 a.m. and saw smoke coming from the two-story building’s roof and back.
Crews fought the fire from the outside because of the building’s weak integrity and size. Firefighters said it was a challenge to get water to the right places because of the tiles on the roof.
Crews finished putting out the fire around 7:30 a.m. and are working to clean up the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The building, built in 1931, was the second permanent library constructed by the city. It is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and was included on the Landmark Society’s “Five to Revive” list in 2013.
The library was closed in 1994 as branches were consolidated. Over the years, the city has unsuccessfully pursued different opportunities to have the property redeveloped.
