Rochester Firefighters Extinguish Fire at Pallet Express
Emergency crews arrived at the Lyell Avenue building early Wednesday morning to battle the blaze.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Accidents
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The Rochester Fire Department responded to a fire at the Pallet Express building on Lyell Avenue on October 23. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within roughly half an hour and confirmed the building was unoccupied.
Why it matters
This incident occurred at the same two-story commercial structure that suffered a major five-alarm fire earlier this year. Authorities have been investigating the previous June incident as an act of arson.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Lyell Avenue site at 4:49 a.m. and successfully brought the flames under control by 5:21 a.m. The June 7 fire at the same location remains under an active arson investigation.
The players
Rochester Fire Department
The local agency responsible for providing emergency response and fire suppression services within the city of Rochester.
Pallet Express
The commercial entity that owns the two-story building on Lyell Avenue where the fire occurred.
The details
Crews arrived to find flames emerging through a hole in the roof of the two-story facility. A search of the premises by the Rochester Fire Department confirmed there were no people inside the building during the event.
Timeline
June 7, 2026: A five-alarm fire previously occurred at the Pallet Express building.
August 2026: Police announced an official arson investigation into the June fire.
October 23, 2026, 4:49 a.m.: Firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
October 23, 2026, 5:21 a.m.: The fire was officially brought under control.
Legal Context
This incident follows a pattern set by the June 7, 2026, five-alarm fire at the same Pallet Express location. The history of this building is now a primary focus for investigators reviewing the local safety and security environment.
Residents and nearby businesses should remain aware of potential emergency vehicle activity on Lyell Avenue as the investigation proceeds. Authorities continue to monitor the site following the previous arson case.
The takeaway
Local business owners should ensure their properties are secured and fire safety systems are fully operational. Reporting suspicious activity around vacant or previously damaged structures can help prevent future incidents.
Further reading
Find more updates on recent incidents in the area in our Rochester accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Esther Winter.
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