PRESS RELEASE
On Monday May 15th at approximately 6:48 p.m. the Amsterdam Fire Department and Amsterdam Police Department responded to 42 Stewart Street for a structure fire in the second floor apartment. Upon arrival both police and fire personnel observed a fully involved fire in the second floor porch. Members of the Amsterdam Fire Department began to douse the flames as Amsterdam Police officers managed the scene and began interviews with witnesses.
Police located a witness, a 51 year-old Amsterdam man, who was a resident of the second floor apartment. He advised his roommate was still inside the apartment. Amsterdam Fire had personnel within the apartment who located an individual who had succumbed to the fire. Sadly at this time the victim is identified as 43 year-old David L. Crandell of 42 Stewart Street Apt. 2 Amsterdam.
Members of the Amsterdam Police department detective bureau responded to the scene and held it while Amsterdam Fire department personnel along with New York State Fire Investigators began working. At this time the origin of the fire was determined to be the second floor porch eventually traveling inside the apartment. The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious though the investigation is continuing today.
