An Auburn police officer and a Cayuga County sheriff’s deputy helped pull a man to safety Wednesday after a fast-moving fire broke out at a home on Perry Street.
The incident began around 4:00 p.m. on November 5, when Cayuga County 911 dispatched emergency crews for a reported structure fire at 39 Perry Street. Officer P. Flickner of the Auburn Police Department, who was on patrol nearby, saw the alert and arrived at the scene within minutes.
Flames and heavy black smoke were pouring from the back of the house when Officer Flickner arrived. A neighbor told him they had opened the front door and let the dogs out, but didn’t know if anyone was still inside.
Flickner announced himself at the front entrance and yelled into the home. A man who had been asleep inside woke up and began yelling for help. Flickner attempted to enter the house and crawl under the smoke to reach the resident, but had to retreat due to heavy smoke inhalation risk.
Deputy Kelley from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after. A neighbor spotted the man inside a first-floor window. Working together, Deputy Kelley and the neighbor pulled the man out through the window to safety. Both the resident and Officer Flickner were evaluated by Auburn City Ambulance at the scene.
The Auburn Fire Department confirmed that the occupant was the only person inside the home at the time of the fire. A second alarm was requested shortly after firefighters arrived. Crews deployed three hose lines and knocked down the majority of the fire within 10 minutes.
Ventilation, salvage, and overhaul operations followed. Auburn Code Enforcement and NYSEG also assisted on scene. The American Red Cross is helping the displaced occupants.
While firefighters were still working on Perry Street, a second, unrelated kitchen fire was reported on N. Division Street. That fire was quickly handled by second alarm units.
Fire investigators have been called in, and the cause of both fires remains under investigation.
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