A Troy bowling alley, Alpha Lanes, fell victim Wednesday to what was perhaps the worst fire in the Capital Region this year.

Firefighters from across the region spent the day putting out the devastating flames, which also included hosing down the remaining hot spots on Fifth Avenue.

More than a day later, crews at the scene are still working to clean up. They spent much of the morning putting up a perimeter around what's left of the building.

Some people went through the rubble, one even leaving with a bowling ball.

Alpha Lanes owner Joe Scaccia stood watch Wednesday as his life’s work came to a halt. The historic bowling alley opened in 1937. 

"My whole family, the Boys Club, the high schools, my whole family was brought up in there,” Scaccia said.

Some Lansingburgh teens consider the lanes their second home. Lansingburgh High School's bowling team practiced at Alpha, winning the state championship in March.

Lansingburgh Coach Roland Blanchet says he isn't sure where the team will practice next year, but he's waiting to see if the owners will rebuild.

“If I can get enough money, maybe we'll rebuild a few lanes or a recreation center, or something like that.," Scaccia said.

 

 

While the flames blew high, just before 10 a.m., Troy Fire Chief Eric McMahon says two of his members went missing.

“To say it was tense during those several minutes would be an understatement,” McMahon says.

Those two firefighters were located and unharmed, as well, neighboring businesses — including a furniture and hardware store — also escaped major damage.

That did not include Alpha Lanes. Their iconic bowling pin sign was crushed underneath the rubble.

“Take a look at the size and the magnitude of the fire. We ran out of manpower almost immediately,” McMahon said.

But with help from first responders from Watervliet, Green Island, Cohoes, Troy, and Albany, no one was harmed.

The first responding units to the Lansingburgh area found heavy smoke from second-floor windows and the roof of the building, and conditions deteriorated quickly, McMahon said.

 
 
Alpha Lanes also took to Facebook on Wednesday to share a statement following the fire.

"We would like to thank the community for their support! Thank you to the Troy Fire Department for doing their best! Everybody is safe and no one was hurt! This is a tragic event for the community and the Scaccia family," the post read.