Firefighters in Binghamton have responded to a fire at a downtown business this morning. Multiple businesses in the downtown area had to be evacuated this morning after a fire broke out at the Ellis Brothers furniture store off of Water Street just after 7:30. Smoke and flames were visible coming from the fourth floor of the store, with heavy smoke pouring from the upper stories, and an apparent collapsed roof. Local streets have been barricaded, and the smoke has permeated throughout the downtown area. The fire was contained by ten o’clock and posed no threat to any other nearby buildings, as firefighters had to battle the flames from multiple sides of the building. Because of the barricaded roads, emergency vehicles, and heavy smoke, police are advising residents to avoid downtown Binghamton today. The Binghamton High School had to be dismissed at 10:30 this morning due to air quality issues caused by the fire. All after school activities are also canceled.
