A fire and explosion was reported in Ithaca’s “Jungle” around 7:20 PM on Wednesday, the 27th of October. The blaze was quickly extinguished by the Ithaca Fire Department, with assistance from Ithaca Police Department officers.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Accidental fires in the Jungle are commonplace. Jungle residents are also known to “torch” each others camps during disputes. Fires have been a consistent issue in the encampments.
Access to the site of the fire was hampered the lack of a bridge on a portion of Cecil A. Malone drive. The bridge is currently under construction.
Smoke billowed from a large fire for several minutes before it was extinguished. Dispatch audio indicated a caller reporting hearing an explosion, saying it may have been a propane cylinder ruptured in the fire.
Three fire trucks and multiple Ithaca Police Department vehicles responded to the site within minutes of the call.
The campsite consumed by fire was recently photographed during a walkthrough of the Jungle, and is pictured below.
The approximate location of the fire behind Warehouse Carpet Outlet is indicated with a red circle. The campsite was directly next to the train tracks.
