A Church Street fire left eight people homeless after an early-morning blaze on Wednesday in Saratoga Springs.

The blaze took place around 1 a.m. at 99 Church St., after a fire accidentally started on the back porch of the building’s third floor apartment and spread to the buildings attack.

Officials say that a smoking material may have been the cause of the fire. The fire caused smoke and water damage to the building. The residents of the building will need to find a new place to live while the house is being repaired.

None of the residents were injured during the blaze, but one firefighter who complained of chest pains was transported to Saratoga Hospital.

City fire inspectors find structural problems at track following barn's collapse

Following the May 1 collapse of a barn at the Saratoga Race Course city fire inspectors found structural problems with 11 barns and one dorm, a discovery that represents a mere 6 percent of the structures at the track.

Fire inspectors have praised the overall results of the inspections that inspected more than 220 barns on the track’s property. Inspectors found that Barn 50, which collapsed on May 1, was likely the result of improper installation of foundation support.

The May collapse inspired fire inspectors to check all 222 barns instead of just looking at a sampling of the barns like they usually do each year. They also intend to inspect the track’s grandstand and adjacent buildings before the track opens on Wednesday, July 23.

During there inspections, inspectos looked at support columns, envelope roof siding, leaning, racking, sills, sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, and electrical, gas, water and sewer lines.

There were no serious injuries in connection with the collapse of Barn 50 and no animals were present in the barn at the time of its collapse. Barn 50 is currently being rebuilt due to permits NYRA received from the state. Two weeks ago the foundation was poured and workers have already constructed 10 stalls and a tack room.

Adoptive Grandmother of Rainwalker arrested on burglary charges

The former home of the Greenwich boy who has been missing since November was recently broken into and his adoptive grandmother has been charged with burglary in connection with the break in.

Barbara A. Reeley, 59, of Wynantskill, was released after arraignment in Greenwich Town Court on a charge of third-degree burglary - she pleaded not guilty.

Reeley was charged by Sheriffs after neighbors of the Raven Way home reported seeing her there. It is believed that she entered through an unlocked door - nothing was reported damaged or missing.

The home belonged to Reeley’s daughter, Jocelyn McDonald and her son-in-law Stephen Kerr when Rainwalker went missing on Nov. 1. Since then the family has moved to Vermont.

While in the home, Reeley told police and signed an affidavit saying she saw a yellow fleece jacket - the same type of garment Rainwalker was reportedly wearing when he went missing. Police intend to conduct tests on the garment to see if it can provide them with any clues into the investigation.

Rainwalker was last seen with Stephen Kerr who police have since named a “person of interest” in the case.

The case has been adjourned until Aug. 5.

Peerless Pool to open Friday

After having its opening delayed for more than two weeks Spa State Parks Peerless Pool will be open for swimming on Friday.

The pool had been closed due to construction taking place at the facility.

The Peerless Pool will be open full time starting at 10 a.m. Friday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays

Mechanicville Voted Best Tasting Water in Saratoga County

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County held their 22nd annual tap-water taste test on Tuesday, July 15 at the Hannaford Supermarket in Clifton Park.

The blind taste test allowed participants to taste tap water from Saratoga Springs, Wilton, Halfmoon, Clifton Park and Mechanicville and vote on which water tasted the best, not knowing which town the water came from.

“I think this is a great idea. I use a Brita filter all the time and that can get expensive. It’s a good idea to promote tap water and know it’s safe to drink,” Clifton Park resident Peggy Cowper said.

Mechanicville received the honor of best tasting water and will move on to the regional competition held in Albany on July 31. The winner from the regional event will move onto the final round to decide the statewide champion at the State Fair in Syracuse on August 26. About 150 New York State public water supplies will be involved in the state competition.

“We want to create an interest in people’s minds about the water they are drinking,” said contest coordinator Manoj Ajmera. “We only hear about water in the news when something goes wrong, and we wanted to put a positive spin on it.”