Syracuse, NY — A storage bay that once housed an illegal biker nightclub in the Hawley-Green area in Syracuse caught on fire Thursday night.
Firefighters were called at 8:18 pm to the former New York Central Railroad Station in the 400 block of Burnet Avenue. Crews found heavy black smoke and fire that spread from walls to a false ceiling in one of the bays, said District Chief Matt Craner, a Syracuse Fire Department spokesperson.
Flames were caught in between the ceiling and the roof, a hard-to-get area for firefighters, Craner said. They had to peel back the roof to extinguish the flames, he said.
The storage bay was declared unfit for occupancy by the city in September after it found the space was operating as a bar and club without the right licenses.
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A property owner across from the storage bay said the space has since become a car detailing shop.
Neighbors and business owners on the block celebrated the city shutting down the illegal club last fall. Tom Hornstein, owner of the troubled property, previously said he was putting it up for sale, seeking $2.1 million.
City property records still show Hornstein’s Cashe, LLC as the property’s owner Thursday.
Fire investigators are working to determine what caused the fire, Craner said. No injuries were reported.
Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at [email protected].
