40 units in Syracuse apartment complex lose heat, residents displaced after car hits building

Syracuse, N.Y. ― Residents in a Syracuse apartment complex had to leave for at least a night after a car crashed into the building, according to the Syracuse Fire Department.

The crash caused a gas leak that left the tenants in the 40 units without heat.

No one was injured, but the crash, which ruptured the gas main into the building, could limit heat and other access in the building, according to Elton Davis, executive deputy chief for the Syracuse Fire Department.

The Red Cross is providing for the residents and working to find temporary living situations for those displaced, Davis said. National Grid is also working on fixing the leak, he said.

At around 12:52 p.m. Sunday, police and fire responded to a report that a car had crashed into a building at the Butternut Street Apartments at 1312 Butternut St., according to Davis.

Firefighters found that a leak from the gas main into the building had been caused by the crash, Davis said.

The fire department evacuated the building as a safety precaution, Davis said. Around 40 apartments containing around 60 occupants across the complex were evacuated.

A temporary shelter was opened at the SRC Arena at 4585 West Seneca Turnpike at Onondaga Community College.

According to the Red Cross, buses took evacuated residents to the shelter where there will be food, water and a warm place to stay until the building is cleared to reopen.