Residents helped with an apartment fire from the balcony early in the morning

Cortland, NY – One person was hospitalized following a house fire in Cortland early Wednesday morning.

According to City of Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman, firefighters were called to the Bardmore Terrace Apartments just after 3 a.m. When they arrived at the scene, flames were shooting from a second-story window to a third-story window.

Residents of the apartments on both floors tried to escape and were supported by the fire department. Other apartment residents had already evacuated.

Crews extinguished the main fire within minutes, but extensive work was required to extinguish the fire in the attic.

Chief Friedman said three apartment residents were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, while one person was taken to the hospital with a fall injury. Her status is currently unknown. No firefighters were injured.

“The diligent work of the first arriving contractors and construction limited the spread of the fire and possible further civilian injuries,” Chief Friedman said. “Any fire in a residential building at this time of night could have very catastrophic consequences.”

The City of Cortland Fire Department was assisted by the Cortland and Homer Fire Departments, and the McGraw and Virgil Fire Departments covered additional calls.

The Red Cross is supporting around a dozen residents who have now been displaced.

NYS fire investigators are still working to determine the cause.