CNN reported quoting officials that it all began because a man wanted to imitate a stunt he had seen in the TV show, "Forged in Fire".
"The man was trying to bend metal with fire in a barrel," said Cohoes Fire Department Chief Joseph Fahd to CNN.
John Gomes (51) attempted to create a sword that he had seen on the show, where they pits bladesmiths against each other as they compete to recreate historical weapons.
As the day was windy, the fire spread several blocks, Fahd said.
The firefighters fought for six hours to douse the fire.
Gomes has been charged with fourth-degree arson and reckless endangerment.
Mayor Shawn Morse, who served as a firefighter for 26 years, called the incident "heartbreaking."
The city is working to return to normalcy, he said.
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