Johnson City House Fire Was Started “Remotely”

Police and fire investigators have solved the case of a mysterious blaze that erupted in a vacant Johnson City apartment house.

Thursday morning's fire in the two-family residence at 127 Burbank Avenue initially seemed to be suspicious. It was reported by a man who had recently acquired the property.

When firefighters entered the two-and-a-half story building, they located a small blaze in the kitchen of a first-floor apartment.

The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. Fire damage was confined to the kitchen but the rest of the apartment sustained some smoke damage.

Electric service to the house had been shut off and no one was supposed to be in the building.

Johnson City fire marshal Bob Blakeslee said the investigation revealed a stove burner previously had been turned on by someone when the power was disconnected.

It appears an intruder at one point entered the apartment and decided to cook some food. The burnt remains of a box and a hot plate that had been left on top of the stove were found by investigators. A small bag of rice and a jar of picante sauce also were discovered nearby.

Blakeslee said a NYSEG representative advised a police detective that electric service to the first-floor apartment was turned back on remotely Thursday morning, shortly before the fire was discovered.

When power was restored, the stove burner heated up and ignited the box, causing the fire.

The blaze has been ruled accidental.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Firefighters at the scene of the blaze at 127 Burbank Avenue on December 4, 2025.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.