Man escapes house fire in Syracuse after people knock on door, scream; fire quickly knocked down

Syracuse, N.Y. — A man woke up in his bedroom Thursday to people knocking on his door and screaming that his house was on fire.

A 911 caller reported hearing an explosion around 3:08 p.m. followed by flames coming from the back of 214 Bassett St. on the city’s Westcott neighborhood, according to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches.

Vinat Horakeri said his smoke alarms weren’t set off and that he only woke up because people alerted him. He said they came from a summer school across the street.

Horakeri, 26, said he quickly left the house but went back inside for his keys. He said he saw dark smoke pouring into the house from the back door.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames that were contained to the back of the house, said Capt. Matthew Craner, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Fire Department.

Four people had evacuated from the house before crews arrived, he said.

Investigators are determining the cause of the fire.

Firefighters were assessing damage to the house to see whether it will be livable, Craner said.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.