Kirkwood fire displaces 19

A fire in Kirkwood displaced five families yesterday. The Broome County Office of Emergency Services says fire broke out in a 12-family apartment building on Route 11 just before 5:30am. The Five Mile Point Fire Department was the first on the scene, and reported large flames shooting from the back of the building. They requested mutual aid, and members from 10 other departments helped fight the fire. They were able to extinguish the flames, but the fire left 19 people displaced. They are receiving assistance from the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross. Investigators say a careless use of candles sparked the fire in a second floor apartment. No criminal charges have been filed.