Three-alarm fire engulfs vacant commercial building on Child Street

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Crews spent hours battling a massive, three-alarm fire that engulfed a commercial building on Child Street near Jay Street on Tuesday morning.

Rochester firefighters remain at the scene as of 10 a.m., still working to put out remaining hot spots at the two-story vacant building. News10NBC’s crew still saw small flames coming from the top of the building earlier in the morning, with fire trucks working to put them out with a hose.

Child Street between Campbell and Jay streets will be closed for the rest of Tuesday as construction crews work on the heavy damage.

There were no reported injuries and RFD is still working to determine the cause. The first firefighters arrived around 12:30 a.m. and found both stories in flames.

“We have six truck companies in the city. We have four of the six working here,” said Rochester Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano. “So it does put a drain on us but nothing that we’re not used to. Nothing that we can’t handle.”

Chief Napolitano said the fire has put a strain on the area’s water system.

“This was a two-story building with flames emanating 50 to 100 feet above that. When you have a building this size and you’re taxing the water system – we had to the best of my knowledge no issues with the water – but we are putting a strain on that system.”

Wind conditions caused embers to travel. Firefighters searched the neighborhood to make sure the fire didn’t ignite any homes or other buildings.