Called in as mutual aid, and positioned to stop the fire up front, Watervliet firefighters sent their ladder over the Remsen Street fire in Cohoes last week.
Chief Rob Conlen was directing his men.
“The fire was really blowtorching out of the front of the building,” Conlen said.
About half way up, Conlen says they were suddenly forced to lower back.
“It was bad conditions, and they had to get out of there,” Conlen said.
A rapid change in the wind put the firefighters in quick danger.
“We got the guys out of the bucket without anyone being hurt,” Conlen said.
He says their escape seemed like a miracle, but their truck wasn't so lucky.
“The back tires were on fire, the firefighter who jumped in to drive it away said the steering wheel was hot on his hands,” Conlen said.