Stairwell fire displaces Ithaca residents, prompts investigation

Firefighters spent over five hours battling smoke and toxic gases Sunday evening after a stairwell fire broke out at a downtown Ithaca high-rise, displacing residents and prompting a police investigation.

Crews from the Ithaca Fire Department were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. to 118 East Green Street following a smoke detector activation in the building’s east stairwell. The fire was quickly controlled, but smoke and toxic gases spread throughout all residential floors, requiring extended ventilation efforts and safety checks. Fire crews remained on scene until just before 11 p.m.

Residents evacuated during the incident were allowed to return to their apartments shortly after 10 p.m., once conditions were deemed safe and building staff removed soot and debris.

The Ithaca Police Department, which assisted with evacuation, has deemed the fire suspicious. An investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to call the police tip line at (607) 330-0000.

Bangs Ambulance transported several civilians for smoke inhalation and treated others at the scene. The third-alarm fire prompted off-duty IFD personnel to return and brought mutual aid from fire departments in Newfield, Lansing, and Cayuga Heights. City building inspectors, Tompkins Community Action, and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance also helped with cleanup and reoccupation.

The city expressed gratitude to the public and partner agencies for their cooperation during the emergency.

Staff Report

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