CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Cortland Fire Department made quick work of a second-story apartment fire on Owego Street Saturday night.
Firefighters were dispatched to a report of smoke coming from the roof of the OHWEGO Laundromat building at 44 Owego Street at around 10:30 p.m. The laundromat is housed on the first floor of the building with apartments located on the second floor.
Firefighters ascended to the second floor apartment to find heavy smoke and fire visible from the exterior doorway. Fire damage was confined to the upstairs apartment with minimal water damage to the first floor, according to Cortland Deputy Fire Chief Wayne Frieman.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire and began to look for people who may have still been inside the building.
There was no evidence of working smoke detectors at the home, according to Friedman. An investigation determined that the fire was caused by an electrical issue with the kitchen stove in the second floor apartment.
The Cortland Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Cortlandville Fire Department and the Cortland Police Department. The residents at the apartment were assisted by the American Red Cross.
