I was at the fire and got some good photos...The problem with this fire was due to such a old construction building and such hot heat the building became very unstable and caused a mandatory evacuation of all firefighters. All firefighters did a good job!

fire departments assigned:baldwinsville, lakeside,Cody,Liverpool, moyers corners,oswego,oswego town,central square,east Syracuse,lyncourt,Seneca river,fairmount,fayetteville,phoenix,Belgium cold-springs,GBAC ambulance,WAVES ambulance rural metro and onondaga county air-1

I am ABSOLUTELY disgusted that one of the highlights and seemingly the main highlight to the story was interviewing the people who "rushed to the scene" to take pictures and be voyeurs instead of focusing on the people who lost business, the people who lost their "homes" and their belongings (for those who lived above the businesses), and the loss of historical value to the buildings.  As a long-time Channel 9 viewer and formerly loyal Channel 9 viewer, I cannot begin to express my ABSOLUTE DISGUST at the angle of this story.  Where is the information on the avenues to help the people who lost so much today because of the actions of a criminal?  Is Channel 9 trying to be like Channel 3 and Channel 5 and indulge in sensationalism?  Disgusted in Elbridge big time!!!!

Well as being a former volunteer firemen I have seen alot of fire over the years. I must say Baldwinsville and all the mutual aid departments did a great job. for what they did save. The unfortunate part is that it was an old building, and probably had a balloon structure with many additions. Also wearing 100 lbs of turnout gear in the heat is something i dont miss. As far as the guy goes who started it, I hope you rot in hell for the rest of your life for doing what you did. You put all of them Tenants lives at stake and the firefighters as well

the fact that there were 200 volunteer firemen there was unneeded. Half of them were standing there. About 195 of them are spectating in the one picture. Thats vols for ya.

To the anonymous person who commented on 195 firefighters as spectators, " You don't know what the hell you're talking about. I had family members, and friends fighting that fire. If you want to learn something, I'm here to discuss 'volunteer' firefighters and what they do, the training they go through, I'd love to meet you face to face to discuss this with you." Michael Lyons is a troubled young man, and is need of mental help, not just persecution. What he allegedly did was totally wrong, and I feel bad for everyone involved, whether it be the victims, firefighters, fire police, fire auxillery, emergency services, red cross, law enforcement, investigators, news crews, residents, the building owners, or whoever.

I just wanted to include how bad I feel for Michael's mother in particular, his father, brother, family and friends, as well as Michael himself.

to the anonymous person who typed in at 906pm. Like what the lifetime B'ville resident said "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT". If you watch the raw video on this story if listen  part way thru it, those airhorn blasts means get out. Thats what they do when there is too much fire or a possible collaspe! Also you say you see that the Volly's are standing around. They were probably "RIT" groups. RIT's are Rapid Intervention Teams which go in or fight the fire when other groups of firefighters are worn out or overworked. Your a jackass, cause you dont know how it is to be a firefighter, Paid or Volly's we are all firefighter and go thru all the same training - WE ARE ALWAYS FIREMEN! YOU NEVER put all the firemen at risk at the same time. That time of the day is rough cause everyone works. The 200 firemen that were called doesnt neccesarily mean they were all there at the fire scene. This could of also included all the Standby dept's too. When a five alarm fire comes in like that, and with the heat the way it was, you need all you can. I may have not been at that fire in B'ville, but i have been to fires very similiar. Back in the early 90's we had a rash of Barn fires going around in our town. Every Friday nite around 11pm we would get a fire. It was hot, and some of them would require 100 or more firemen. The more the better! It may seem like your taking away from other districts but that is why there are standby crews. That is part of the Inter County Mutual Aid System. You know we as firemen do what we do, cause we like to help others in need. It may be a Block fire like this one, Barn fires, car fires, Possible heart Calls, Amputations, drownings or just simply helping someone with there O2 cause they cant do it! We are here to help the best we can. We may not be perfect, and you are not either. Those firefighters standing watching the fire had some job at that fire Im sure! So before you run off at the mouth why dont you ask the question first instead of assuming. Firefighting is one of the most dangerous Jobs in the world, and we do it because there is a need.

For all of you who want Mike to rot in hell I'd like you to know that he does everyday.  He has been diagnosed with a mental illness years ago.  The problem lies with the mental health departments that don't do anything because he doesn't have money or heath insurance coverage.  He has been in the system for years and they deem that he is fine if he can't pay.  Their the ones that need to be held accountable.

I feel for the people that lost their home in the fire, I feel for all the people that have had their lives effected because of the garbage healthcare system in this country, one that allows a twisted person like Mike Lyons to walk freely in society while obviously being a danger to himself and everyone around him.  I DO NOT feel sorry for the building owner.....the jerk says he hopes Lyons "rots in hell"....gmme a break Styers, a lot of people that love teh Village of Bville hope YOU are the one that rots since you owned and refused to sell or renovate the outside of the biggest eyesore in the village.  Nearly every other building in the village was carefully and caringly renovated to bring some charm and resulting success to teh businesses in the village, but not you.....now you act like some sort of treasure was lost......what now Styers?....are you going to leave a big hole in the village and not rebuild anything?  I sure hope the Village Planning Board makes you or someone build a structure that is sensative to the surrounding historic buildings and not some tin shed like the ugly mess that was built in the 70's when the Corner Pharmacy burned.  This fire, while tragic for some, is an opportunity to complete the rehabilitation of the village.

I have known this "man" accused of starting the fire since the 8th grade. He has a documented history of mental illness. This is actually a very sad story for everyone involved. and I'm sure he will be instituted for the rest of his life. Dont be so quick to judge.

I have also known Mike since he was a small child and i feel terribly for everyone who has had loss in this situation. But I must applaud the person who obviously knows Mike as well for saying some blame MUST lie with the health community who felt it necessary to let him roam free with his illness. I am not saying he should not be held accountable for his actions but I certainly feel him "rotting in hell" is beyond harsh. As far as Styers losing his "business" I have to agree with Buddy it's called Karma Styers.

First off,  I would like to thank all of the HEROES that put their lives on the line to save others.  Thank you.  Second, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathy for all of those that lost their homes and belongings.  It's a terrible loss that most of us could never comprehend.  Third, I too have known Mike for many, many years.  The FORMER VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER that wrote that he should "rot in hell" should probably think back to his time when HUMANITY was something to be proud of, especially being a CIVIL SERVANT.  You make me sick.  Mike has a serious illness and I have to agree with Karri and buddy stating that the system is partly to blame.  My heart goes out to Mike's family as I'm sure that the path that they have been down with Mike has not been an easy one, by all means.

i applaud the fire fighters and there tremendous effort. people who work for the safety and protection fo others,should always be highly decorated and equally rewarded.  as for the arsonist, allegedly, its not the first time or the last time itl happen.these events happen nationwide 25 times a day or more. before we acclaoim this man, so to speak, mentally ill, lets go through the legal process first to determine this.  arson is a sreiuos felony ; fire is lethal to human life; lets get allthe information first before the defense,the air of insanity and lack of resposibility of ones actions are brought out.

Mike is a very disturbed young man who was taken to psychiatric ward several times by his parents as a teen - he would get out and do his thing and stay on meds for just enough time.  He would hear voices in his head and wear a headband to keep them out.  He was a danger to himself and people around him.  His parents were afraid of him, his neighbors would walk the other way if he was outside.  You never knew what to expect.  I think if had been committed or in a group home long ago - things may have been different.  His parents didnt know what to do - but often looked the other way.  It is not always the systems fault when parents are unwilling to face their childs illness and get help.  Who wants to admit your child is schitzophrenic.  This was a cry for help and now he will get it!  His parents - God Bless them and give them strength.

hey tom f. did you ever stop to think that the people posting about mike's mental illness might know a little more about it than you? do you really not understand what the words DOCUMENTED MENTAL ILLNESS mean? it is not a "so to speak" mental illness as you put it and it is certainly not "acclaimed"(your use of this word here speaks volumes about your intelligence level). i also find it hilarious that you want "all the information first" but then make the blatantly untrue and slanderous statement that "this isnt the first time" while refering to him as "the arsonist".   while you are looking up the definition of the word "acclaimed", you might want to sidetrack over to the H's and check out "hypocrisy"..

my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this fire as well as the lyons family.

someone who knew him obviously doesnt. if you knew anything you would know that his parents(or anyone else in his family) have never looked the other way and have been trying for many years to get michael the help he so desperately needs.  saying that his parents were unwilling to face his illness and get him help couldnt be further from the truth.

it always takes one.  you believe everything you read, on the computer by peolpe who you dont know. and you criticise the ones you dont agree with. when and if it is decided in court that the alleged arsonist has some form of mental illness, then the proper medication  and therapy will be prescribed. im not aqn expert in mentall ilnesas, but ;[not ignorant], you seem to show signs of manic antagonism ; i hope your not defending the arsonist in court; if so [he will lose.

are the following words really that hard for you to comprehend?
DOCUMENTED mental illness.  again with the hypocrisy, you criticize me for "believing everything i read" after making the blatantly untrue comment that he has "allegedly done this before".
"when and if its decided..."?
IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED AND DOCUMENTED THAT HE HAS A VERY SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. that is a fact whether you agree or not.  

case closed; theyll be putting you away; please lets hear form some intelligent adults ,who understand court law and not some person whos fingers smell funny. case closed psyco, case closed

tom f, you sound kind of moronic, case closed indeed.

I just spoke with Helen Lyons who is the mother of Michael Lyons and she appreciates all of the support that is offered. Helen is very grateful that noone got hurt other than some smoke inhallation sufferd by some of the law enforcement officers. Helen is also sorry for any and all losses suffered by anyone involved. I go on to say that Helen feels very hurt and sad that this ever happened. The Lyons' have gone through an awful lot throughout the years with Michaels illness, trying to do everything that they could. Michael himself has gone for help on his own as well, and has been on medicine and through mental care trying to deal with his illness. I don't know what neighbors went the other way and was scared of him, I never saw it living next door in this neighborhood for many years. Again, as a former firefighter, longtime B'ville resident, with my daughter who is a current firefighter/EMT and son of a former 35 year veteren of the B'ville Fire Dept., I do applaud all of the efforts of everyone involved, and my thoughts go out to everyone who lost in this terrible event, including the Lyons Family.

I just want to shout out a word of thanks and appreciation to Kinney Drugs in B'ville along with Little Ceasars Pizza for their donations of water and pizza, along with others that donated during this fire.

http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-11/118656405246830.xml&coll=1

No need to say any more to the ignorant TOM F!

Previous appartment 8566 woodsboro Drive Michael K. Lyons damaged my karaoke machine and almost started a fire in my appartment. I was 8 feet away from the dumbbell that fell through the ceiling. I was so affraid so I called the sheriff's on February 25, 2007 @ 7:00am. The police came @ 7:10am. I reciently now live my mom again. The next morning I went to the appartment & called the landlord and they sent the maitnence to take photos. I also took photos. The police report is still open. I am very hurt bacause of the damages I have had by Michael K. Lyon.  I relized my television was not working either when I moved it.  My karoke machine is worth $100.00 & my television is worth $250.00