Noxious fumes force tenants from downtown apartment

Several Rochester firefighters prepare to enter the stairwell to an upstairs North Main Street apartment after noxious fumes were detected on Tuesday afternoon. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - At least two tenants were evacuated from their downtown apartment on Tuesday after firefighters responded to the scene for the report of noxious fumes inside the building.

Geraldine Stewart, one of the tenants forced out in the bitter cold, said firefighters had been called after she and others detected the smell of rubber burning around 2 p.m.

Several firetrucks and firefighters responded to the scene at 135 North Main St., including Rochester Fire Chief Mark Klose.

Firefighters entered the upstairs apartment with full airpacks and protective gear.

Rochester Firefighters with full protective gear and airpacks head upstairs to find the source of noxious fumes that forced tenants from a downtown apartment.

As temperatures hovered in the mid-20s and snow fell, some of the tenants huddled inside George & Ed's Convenience store next door.

A little before 3 p.m. they were allowed back inside.

Rochester Fire said late Tuesday afternoon the problem had originated with the building's main furnace and that repairmen were on the way to address any issues.