City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023) – The City of Rochester is working closely with the residents impacted by last night’s five-alarm fire at 301 Otis St. Approximately 16 homes were affected by the heat, smoke and water, and power service was severed.
The City will continue to coordinate emergency shelter for those who need it – including their pets – until utilities are restored. In addition, City human services team members are working in the area to ensure residents get necessary additional support.
The building at 301 Otis St. was a one-story, 52,527-square-foot warehouse that had been boarded up by the City in February as a vacant property. The warehouse had 15 outstanding code violations, including for inoperable fire alarm and sprinkler systems and a collapsed portion of roof, as well as a deteriorated parking lot and fencing. At this time, it does not appear that any code violations were the cause of the fire.
The building collapsed during the fire, and the remaining walls were demolished for safety. The fire remains under investigation by the City’s Arson Task Force.
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