Demolition underway for homes damaged in Albany fire

Demolition is underway on Grand Street in Albany, where fire destroyed several homes, early Wednesday morning.

Fifteen people escaped the fire. It is possible that would not have happened if not for the heroic actions of two city employees.

The fire began in a building on Grand Street just before 2 a.m. It then spread to three other buildings.

There was an Albany Department of General Services garbage truck picking up trash in the South End before firefighters arrived.

The men on that truck smelled smoke. They thought the truck tires were burning rubber at first, but then they noticed a bright orange glow illuminating the night sky.

That’s when Kenneith Carter and Krone Brown sprang into action, and began kicking in doors to alert people.

The buildings will have to be torn down, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said.

Hear the men discuss how they got everyone out so quickly by watching the video of Dan Levy’s story.