04/13/2026
*** MEDIA RELEASE***
On Monday April 13, 2026 at 5:00am the City of Norwich Fire Department was dispatched to 104 Mitchell Street for the report of a structure fire. Early reports from the 911 center indicate that there was a civilian who had jumped from a second-floor window. The duty crew responded with Engine 234 and Ambulance 2393. Units arrived within 2 minutes from alarm reporting a working fire in a 2-story single family home with heavy smoke conditions pushing from the second-floor windows. Crews made entry into the 1st floor and were immediately met with zero visibility and extreme heat. An aggressive interior attack was initiated, along with a simultaneous search being conducted for additional occupants on all floors, ventilation, and the establishment of a positive water supply. The Norwich Police Department responded and arrived on scene at the same time as the fire department, discovering there were two fire victims located on the exterior of the home. Both victims had jumped from the second-floor windows prior to the arrival of units. Norwich Police Department assisted with the victims, while additional EMS crews arrived on the scene. EMS crews proceeded to treat and transport both victims to UHS Chenango Memorial. Both victims were later transferred to Upstate Medical in Syracuse for continued care. Both victims were being treated for smoke inhalation, burns, and injuries sustained from the incident. The home sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage throughout. There were no apparent working smoke detectors noted at the time of the fire or during investigation.
Norwich Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Sherburne Fire Department RIT, Oxford Fire with Engine Company, Chenango County OES with EMS and Fire Investigation support, Norwich Police Department, Norwich Water Department, Codes Department, NYSEG, Chenango County Sheriffs, Norwich Fire Rehab, Greene EMS, and the American Red Cross.
An Investigation was conducted by members of The City of Norwich Fire Department, Chenango County Office of Emergency Services, and the Norwich Police Department. The fire is being determined as accidental and caused by a chimney fire that extended into the home from an operating coal stove. There were no reported injuries to firefighters during the incident.
Units cleared the fire scene at 9:00am
The Department would like to thank all members, mutual aid companies and outside agencies for your assistance.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chief Gerald E Parry, Jr.