Weekend Fires Claim Home, Damage Industrial Building in Troy

Two fires requiring more than 100 firefighters and other personnel kept the busy over the weekend.

The first fire occurred Saturday afternoon at a 25,000-square-foot light industrial building on Elliott Drive, where firefighters encountered heavy black smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters immediately climbed to the roof while also entering the building from the ground in order to battle the blaze.

The fire appeared to have started in the dust-collecting system for an undetermined reason, according to a media release from the Troy Fire Department; in all, 40 firefighters, two fire stations and one air tender vehicle responded to the fire, which took nearly three hours to extinguish.

The building was occupied at the time of the fire, according to the media release, though there were no casualties. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A second fire Sunday evening heavily damaged a 1,500-square-foot single-family home on Wattles Road. The fire, which appears to have started on the back deck as a result of barbecuing, began just after 7 p.m. and required 62 firefighters and just under two hours to put out, according to a media release from the Troy Fire Department.

Upon arriving, firefighters discovered heavy smoke and fire showing from the home and determined the fire had extended from the back deck to the home's attic, attached garage and nearby shed. Firefighters first contained the blaze in the back part of the home, then entered the home to fully extinguish the fire.

There were no casualties as a result of the fire, although the home cannot be occupied due to extensive fire, heat or water damage throughout the home. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.