Investigators Pinpoint Origin of Binghamton Apartment House Blaze

Authorities have not ruled out arson as a possible cause of a fire that damaged a large apartment building on Binghamton's South Side.

The blaze at 1282 Vestal Avenue forced several residents to flee when it broke out Thursday evening.

Fire department Lieutenant Robert Gaffney said it started in a second-floor kitchen in an apartment on the rear side of the building. He said residents tried to extinguish the blaze but it had spread out the window and up to a vacant third-floor apartment.

A Binghamton police officer at the scene of a Vestal Avenue fire on March 25, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Gaffney said investigators have not determined exactly what caused the fire.

Police had questioned residents of the building. Detective Captain Cory Minor on Monday afternoon said the investigation into the blaze was continuing.