SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The fire at the Saint Francis Convent Complex, which ignited Friday night and kept crews on the scene for 39 hours, is the largest the Syracuse Fire Department has faced in decades, according to the city’s fire chief.
The city is now evaluating the building to determine if it is beyond repair and may need to be demolished. Despite the setback, Syracuse remains committed to a housing development project at the former Maria Regina Campus Complex on the city’s North Side.
Mayor Ben Walsh described the fire as “a major blow for the North Side and the city of Syracuse.” He also said, “This fire could have been much worse.”…