Why Syracuse's Vacant Property Fire Problem Is a Headache for Taxpayers

Why Syracuse's vacant property fire problem is a headache for taxpayers

In 2024, there were 87 structural fires in the city, 25 of them occurred at vacant properties.

Syracuse needs warning system for vacant property fires, city auditor says

Vacant structure fires in 2024 reflected and exacerbated the City of Syracuse’s housing crisis, according to a new report from City Auditor Alex Marion. The auditor on Thursday released a report on last year’s vacant house fires, and the conditions that facilitated them.  “Following the Fire” is the result of work dating back to the beginning of 2024, when the auditor’s office first set out to determine the cause of vacant property fires in Syra…

Data links 1 in 3 N.Y. structure fires to abandoned buildings, prompting safety recommendations

A 2024 review of Syracuse structure fire data reveals most vacant fire buildings had shut-off utilities, code violations, and unpaid taxes, yet weren’t on the city’s registry