Vacant factories a real concern in Gloversville

GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A large fire burnt down the old Fownes Glove Factory in Gloversville on Tuesday night, reminding residents and city leaders of the dangers that lurk when abandoned factories remain vacant.

The old factory resided next to the Adirondack Exotic pet store that unfortunately succumbed to the flames. The fire reached across the street and lit up a home and nearby rooftops. Cars at nearby dealerships were also burned. “For the city of Gloversville this is probably one of the larger ones we’ve had,” said Will Rowback, Fire Chief of Pleasant Square Volunteer Fire Co, Inc.

And that is a major concern to neighbors and city leaders.

“We’ve had three this year,” said Gloversville Fire Chief Thomas Groff. “Out of town landlords that don’t do anything with them. So, they sit vacant, and people get into them. And we’ve had probably seven or eight large leather factories that have burned up here because of mischief or you know, arson.”

Former city council member Robin Wentworth said, “There are a number of abandoned buildings. There was one just up here on the other side. It had been abandoned for many years. Another glove shop. And it just collapsed just within the last year.”

Wentworth also explained that it’s not an easy task to keep these abandoned buildings safe. “They became the city’s responsibility, but a building like that is very difficult for the city to maintain or do anything with.”

Falon McBride, a Gloversville resident who lives nearby on Burr Street, said she saw it all and had to race against the clock to evacuate her home. “We really didn’t get much time to grab anything we just had to go and get out. That took us 2 hours to get into the Microtel because all the hotels were booked up.”

McBride, along with city leaders, hope something will be done about these vacant buildings. “I don’t feel safe in Gloversville. With all the abandoned buildings and stuff not being taken care of, I feel like I need to move out of Gloversville, my hometown.”

Police are currently looking for a person of interest who may be connected to this fire. If you have any information that can help, reach out to Det. Sgt. Andrew Wilson at awilson@gpd.fulton.ny.us or (518)857-4489.