Fire-Damaged Binghamton Apartment House to Be Demolished

A rundown apartment house in Binghamton where one person was injured during a fast-moving fire is expected to be torn down.

The blaze in the two-story wood frame building at 78 Liberty Street on the city's North Side was reported shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday

Mayor Richard David described it as a "horrific fire." He said firefighters rescued one person, who sustained first-degree burns as a result of the blaze.

David said the fire marshal's office, along with the city code enforcement and engineering departments, have been investigating the condition of the building.

The mayor said the structure has been determined to be more than 75 percent damaged. He said the city is "making arrangements to have the building demolished shortly."

Broome County property records indicate there were eight apartments in the structure, which is owned by an entity based in the town of Maine.

David said the city has been in touch with the owner to expedite the demolition process.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.