Two-Alarm Fire Rips Through House On Binghamton’s West Side

A fast-moving fire tore through one house on the West Side of Binghamton and damaged a neighboring structure.

The blaze in a two-and-a-half story wood frame house on Matthews Street was reported around 3:10 p.m. Monday. A fire chief at the scene called for a second alarm about 20 minutes later.

The first police officer on the scene reported flames and smoke were coming from the upper section of the building.

Police closed a section of Matthews Street while firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze on July 13, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The main body of the fire initially appeared to be on the second floor and into the attic of the structure.

Firefighters conducted a search of the building just after they arrived. They then worked both inside and outside to contain the blaze.

Around 4 p.m., all firefighters were ordered out of the building because of concern that the upper portion of the structure was unstable.

A BC Transit bus was sent to the scene for use as a cooling station for firefighters who were battling the blaze as the outdoor temperature approached 90 degrees.

Binghamton police secured the area near the fire with yellow tape. Matthews Street was closed between Schubert and Harrison street during fire department operations.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Fire damaged a home on Matthews Street in Binghamton on July 13, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.