Fire-Damaged Binghamton Building To Be Torn Down

The damaged building at 162 Henry Street as it appeared on March 29, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

City officials say a downtown Binghamton structure heavily damaged by a multiple-alarm fire must be demolished.

Mayor Richard David said the building at 162 Henry Street has been declared a total loss. Engineering and code enforcement inspectors determined the structure was about 70 percent damaged.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said the city has sent a letter to the property owner with an order that the building be torn down within 30 days.

The mayor said the structure was insured. He said he's hopeful the process of removing the building can be completed within the specified time.

If the structure has not been demolished according to the order, David said the city likely will step in and have the work done. The city then would look to be reimbursed by the insurance company.

Fire investigators were not able to get inside the damaged structure to determine the cause of the blaze. Captain Timothy O'Neill said there had been electrical work done at the building recently. He said the fire did not appear to be suspicious but the cause will be listed as undetermined.

Several people, including seven children, were inside the building at the time of the fire. One man sustained minor burns when he rushed into the burning structure to rescue a three-year-old girl. The child was not hurt.

The scene shortly after the fire was extinguished on March 26, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter