Six residents were displaced Thursday morning after firefighters discovered a hidden fire inside the exterior wall of a two‑story house at 106 Coykendall Avenue, according to CNY Central. The Syracuse Fire Department initially saw no smoke or flames, but further investigation revealed a blaze within the wall. Crews opened the wall, found significantly more fire, and entered the home, encountering heavy smoke on the second floor. No victims were found, and the fire was extinguished in 20 minutes, with the incident declared fully out after 40 minutes. The first‑floor apartment occupants were moved to temporary shelter with assistance from the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.
In a separate development, a portion of the I‑81 project—a two‑lane roundabout connecting Van Buren Street and Almond Street near the JMA Wireless Dome—is scheduled to open on Friday, October 16, CNY Central reported. Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, said the roundabout will restore direct connections from downtown to the VA and Crouse hospitals, as well as to Syracuse University and SUNY ESF. Construction on the roundabout began in April 2026 as part of the broader Community Grid plan for downtown Syracuse.
The Syracuse Police Department has issued a public appeal for information on a homicide suspect, according to the same outlet. The department’s Facebook post describes the suspect as Joshua A. Cruz Jr., 21, standing 5‑foot‑9 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds. Cruz Jr. is considered armed and dangerous, and officers advised the public not to approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 315‑442‑5222.
What’s next: The displaced residents will continue to receive support from the American Red Cross while investigators determine the fire’s origin. The new roundabout is expected to ease traffic flow and improve access to key city destinations beginning Friday. Police encourage anyone with tips about the homicide suspect to call the tip line immediately, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in the ongoing investigation.
Sources: cnycentral.com, cnycentral.com, cnycentral.com
