SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- An idea of what kind of impact Wednesday's fire on North Salina Street in Syracuse had on the area is starting to come together.

The Red Cross now says they are assisting 7 families, 14 individuals in all, after the devastating fire.

 

 

 
Close to 100 firefighters were needed to fight the flames, as they tore through half a dozen buildings on Syracuse's Northside.

The fire is believed to have started around 2:30 p.m. on the 700 block.

First responder's say four of the buildings are severely burned, two others also suffered damage.

The buildings included a mix of businesses and apartments, but fortunately no one was hurt.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says the four buildings will be demolished since they are an imminent danger to the public. 

Many residents and business owners are upset.

"When you have huge holes in the fabric like this, it damages the economy of the corridor," said Lisa Welch, one of the building owners. "So, it's unfortunate for the people who are running shops out of it, who owned the buildings, who lived here."

"It is certainly a set back," said Walsh. "But we're going to build from this and not only get back to where we were, but get better. But it's going to take some time."

Walsh says the demolition could start as early as tomorrow.

The process will take 4-6 weeks.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.