CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) – A Cortland fire has been ruled accidental.

On May 14, firefighters responded to a Harrington Street home around 3:45 p.m., where they found an active fire in the basement.

According to the Cortland City Fire Department, the alarm was upgraded to “all hands” due to the location and size of the fire, as well as the building structure. Crews were able to extinguish the blaze within ten minutes.

Authorities inspect fire damage at a Cortland house fire on 5-14-25. Credit: City of Cortland Fire Department

Investigators determined it was caused by malfunctioning appliances that suffered water damage from flooding. Cortland Fire says any appliance damaged by water should be unplugged and inspected by trained personnel.

Cortland Fire was on scene for nearly four hours. No injuries were reported.