Fire crews spent over 24 hours fighting the flames at the Maria Regina College. © 2025 Syracuse Fire Department
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Plans for former Maria Regina College in jeopardy after four-alarm fire
Megan Acker: Syracuse city officials are briefing the public today after Syracuse firefighters responded to a four-alarm fire at the Maria Regina College this weekend. Crews battled the blaze for over 24 hours, and according to a statement published by Syracuse.com, continued a secondary fire watch overnight. Firefighters used thousands of gallons of water a minute, compounding the city’s continuing water pressure problem. Neighbor Mackenzie White says that the city infrastructure held up however.
Mackenzie White: I honestly thought we weren’t going to have any water… but honestly, no, it didn’t really affect us too much.
Acker: White says that surrounding roads were closed throughout the weekend and that the damage appears extensive.
White: It seemed like the actual structure itself, the actual walls itself seemed sturdy, but the roof, it’s gone.
Acker: The building was formerly a convent and has been vacant for several years. The cause of the fire has not been announced yet and no injuries have been reported at this time. Reporting live from the studio, Megan Acker, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and other public officials gathered at 1024 Court St. on Monday morning, in front of the former Maria Regina College. The building, which has been vacant for several years, was the scene of a large fire that began last Friday and blazed for over 24 hours and was under fire watch until just hours before the press conference.
Police Chief Joe Cecile mentioned suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire but did not announce any official cause and noted the investigation is ongoing.
The former convent is currently privately owned, but the city of Syracuse has been working closely with Home Leasing to prepare the building for renovations. The eventual goal is for the building to become senior housing. Officials seem hopeful that this is still a possibility.
“We are committed to this project. Now we have to determine what that commitment means…” said Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens.