A fire broke out at 2:40 p.m. on the corner of State and Geneva St. during the 43rd annual Apple Harvest Festival.
The fire started at a food stand around 2:40 p.m. when it appeared that the oil from the grill ignited, spreading throughout and burning the top of the tent.
When asked by The Sun what started the fire, employees of the food stand declined to comment, including about the booth’s name.
According to Jack Fallgrove, an Applefest attendee who saw the fire break out, the workers on the stand tried to put out the fire with a water hose, which appeared to increase the flames.
“Anyone that is running something that dangerous should definitely know [the] first steps in the event of a grease fire,” Fallgrove said.
Sun reporters on the scene observed other civilians trying to quell the flames with a fire extinguisher, but it was not sufficient to contain the fire.
The fire department arrived on the scene around 2:55 p.m. and put the fire out promptly. Event organizers and security personnel temporarily cleared the area and restricted access to the streets.
The stand where the fire broke out was blocked off with caution tape. According to an event staff member, the festival will continue operating as scheduled.
Surrounding firefighters and police officers declined to comment, deferring to a future press release.
Gabriel Muñoz is a member of the class of 2026 at the College of Arts and Sciences. He serves as city editor for the 143rd editorial board. He previously served as city editor for the 142nd Editorial Board and news editor for the 141st Editorial Board. He can be contacted at gmunoz@cornellsun.com.
