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Albany officials are taking action against squatters following two recent fires at vacant homes. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday (January 7) at 610 Third Street, where a fire started in a vacant building and spread to a neighboring property at 608 Third Street. No injuries were reported, but ten people were displaced from the adjacent building.
Fire Chief Joseph Gregory stated that squatters were inside the vacant property when the fire began, as temperatures dropped to 20 degrees. The fire department is investigating the cause, working with the police to determine if the fire was accidental or intentional.
Albany has over 800 vacant buildings, and despite efforts to secure them, unauthorized entry remains a problem. The city plans to crack down on squatting to prevent further incidents. Perry Jones, head of the Capital City Rescue Mission, emphasized to CBS6 that shelters are available for those in need. "We want you to come to the Capital City Rescue Mission. We have room for you," he said, urging people to avoid the dangers of squatting.
Authorities encourage residents to report any suspicious activity around vacant buildings to help prevent future fires and ensure community safety.