VIDEO: Cohoes saw one of the worst fires in the city’s history five years ago. The flames ripped through three city blocks on Remsen Street.
The call came in a little after 2 p.m. Cohoes Fire Chief Joseph Fahd said all the companies were down at his office training at that time. He said when he came around the corner, all he could see was smoke and fire.
Firefighters from Albany, Troy, Watervliet and even Saratoga County came to help. Fahd believes nearly 100 firefighters were on Remsen Street that day.
The fire started in a burn barrel behind apartment buildings. John Gomes admitted to trying to forge a sword, but the winds whipped the fire into a frenzy. He was charged with fourth degree arson and reckless endangerment, and was sentenced to one year in jail.
The fire damaged at least 20 buildings and destroyed three more, along with a garage.