SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy has declared a State of Emergency for part of the city effective Monday at 7:30 p.m. The declaration is due to the unstable condition of the buildings on 100-102 Jay Street and 104 Jay Street that were involved in a fire on March 6.
The State of Emergency is in effect until 12 p.m. on March 21 for the area of Jay Street between Franklin Street and Liberty Street, down Franklin Street to 427 Franklin Street, and down Liberty Street to the intersection of Yates Street. This includes the parking lots behind all the buildings on Jay Street between Franklin Street and Liberty Street.
McCarthy said the buildings are in danger of collapsing because of their condition after the fire and is a public safety threat.
The buildings caught fire on Friday and crews have been on the scene since, recovering remains of at least four people so far. About 60 people were left homeless.