Firefighters put out fire on Sibley Building roof

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Crews responded to a fire on the roof of the Sibley Building apartment and business complex on Tuesday morning. Nearly three dozen tenants had to be evacuated but there were no reports of injuries.

The Rochester Fire Department got the call around 4:30 a.m. about the fire. They said the caller said they tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher before pulling the fire alarm.

Fire crews made their way to the roof of the 12-story building and put out the fire using both the building’s internal pipe system and fire hydrants on the street. RFD said the fire didn’t spread beyond the roof.

A witness, Brandon Scheck, said he tried to put out the fire himself before crews arrived.

"When we saw the open flame we basically hurried up, tried to pour our drinks on it or what not, and then we ran downstairs all the way down to the bottom floor and called security,” Scheck said. “Security went up with us in the elevator all the way back up to the rooftop, tried putting it out with a fire extinguisher. That didn’t work out so he immediately called 911."

Sibley Square, on 250 East Main St., has apartments, spaces for businesses to rent, and restaurants.