A fire is reported at a house at 433 E. Main St. in Batavia, between Harvester and Vine. City firefighters on scene say smoke is showing.
The fire is believed to have begun in the basement. Streets in the vicinity are being shut down to traffic.
Smoke rapidly began pouring from all three stories of the building soon after firefighters arrived.
UPDATE (5:07 p.m.): Until about 10 minutes ago, fire crews believed someone was still inside the building, now that is being re-evaluated.
The building is owned by Terry Platt of Platt Properties in Batavia. It is a rooming house with eight rooms and two apartments.
UPDATE (5:11 p.m.): No one was found inside during the initial search of the building. The landlord is providing the residents' names and contact information so fire personnel can account for all the occupants. Then the premises will be searched again.
UPDATE (5:26 p.m.): The fire is not yet under control. Smoke is still coming from the building. Elba Fire Department responded as mutual aid to the scene and Mercy EMS is also there. Oakfield Fire Department is asked to fill in at the station for the Town of Batavia, which also responded to the fire.
American Red Cross is called to stage at Wilson Farms on Main Street to provide aid to seven people. There seems to be some trouble getting water for one of the hoses.
UPDATE (5:49 p.m.): There is still fire on the first and second stories. All interior firefighters are ordered out and to muster in front for an accountability roll call. A cop on scene said they are going to "flood the building." All occupants are out and accounted for.
UPDATE (5:56 p.m.): Flames six feet high are now shooting out of the roof. National Grid is called to the scene.
UPDATE (6:05 p.m.): A plume of black and gray smoke is visible for at least a hundred feet above the house.
UPDATE 6:45 p.m. (by Howard) Town of Batavia's ladder, Engine 25, is on scene. It looks like the plan is to bring it around to the back of the house and pour as much water on the roof as possible. The construction of the house, built around the turn of the century or before, has "balloon" walls, making it possible for flames to shoot up from the basement all the way to the attic. Once the fire got into the walls, it became very difficult to fight from the inside.
11:04 p.m.: City Engine 12 is back in service. Town of Batavia Engine 18 is back in service. Genesee County Emergency Management is going back in service. A pump has been requested in the basement to start pumping out water so that the investigation can be started.
11:17 p.m.: All Town of Batavia units back in service. City personnel who responded to the second and third alarms being released.
1:17 a.m.: Ladder 15 back in quarters.
I just saw something about
I just saw something about this on Channel 2.
What a shame..... Where will
What a shame..... Where will all those sex offenders live now.. Poor guys!
I now have a better
I now have a better understanding of Balloon framing:
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/balloon-framing.shtml
Hope it's okay to link here,
Hope it's okay to link here, Howard. I took a few shots while I was there. I didn't want to try and cross the street to say hello and incur the wrath of the police. they had their hands full already with rubber neckers and people parking along the street right in front of the fire. Can't believe how clueless some people can be at times.
http://www.thebatavian.com/21106/east-main-fire
I have watched this since it
I have watched this since it began, from work (across the street). Howard was first on the scene and was still there when I left at 745pm tonight. Great job Howard!
So all those sex offenders
So all those sex offenders got out unhurt? What a shame.
http://www.city-data.com/so/s
http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Batavia-New-York.html
Probably candle tipped over
Probably candle tipped over when heating up the crack......
Pardon my ignorance Doug, but
Pardon my ignorance Doug, but is that Howie taking a pic of you taking a pic of him? :)
Tim, that would be correct
Tim, that would be correct
Bob, you don't heat up crack
Bob, you don't heat up crack with a candle, maybe cooking some heroin, but not crack!!!
I also work across the street and left work at 9pm flames were seen coming out of the roof then. House is a total loss!!
Seriously, I am glad nobody was hurt (at least as of yet!)
I knew it was one of the
I knew it was one of the drugs-just mixed them up......at least no firefighters were seriously hurt.
snotty attitudes really show
snotty attitudes really show people for the bigoted jerks they really are. I'm glad everyone got out ok. Especially the man two people went into the building and got out BEFORE the fire dept arrived. This type of construction is very hard to deal with and the loss of life could have been very great. Nice to see Mr. Platt worried about his tenants more than about the property (at least thats how I read it)
I sincerely hope the comments about sex offenders and drugs were tongue in cheek, I hate to believe that we have jerks of this caliber in this city.
It's always fun and games
It's always fun and games until it happens to the bigots or their loved ones, such high standards here in Batavia,hmmmm.
If you don't think there are
If you don't think there are drug addicts and pedophiles in Batavia you must be living under a rock. Check out the sex offender website or the police blotter! Seriously open your eyes!
No one said there arent
No one said there arent Sara..... But to assume that they are living in this house and to express disappointment that they werent hurt or killed in this fire is another thing entirely.
Personally I hope a house is found right next to some of these people who make such comments, then maybe they'll learn that generalizations about people suck. ( yeah I know I am making one about them too however every letter they type is proving my point)
Sara, I check the sex
Sara, I check the sex offenders registry once in awhile, but don't assume because a boarding house burned, that all the tenents are either sex offenders or druggies.
Oh my gosh I misread fyour
Oh my gosh I misread fyour first comment Kyle! Sorry! I thought you said you were hoping there weren't sex offenders in Batavia! I am sorry! It was early! I would certainly never say I wished people would be hurt! I never assumed or said anything to the effect of the home being filled with either drug addicts or sex offenders. I just read something wrong and pointed out a fact.
Frank, according to the link
Frank, according to the link provided by Jacob above, my count is 4 homeless sex offenders.
Yup there were 4 in there.
Yup there were 4 in there. But such sympathy for some vial scum Kyle. Maybe if this country wasnt run by a "lets give everyone second chances" attitudes, these people would get the punishment they deserve. A couple years in jail for raping someone? Seems so fair..but wait, I forgot that not that person has to live the rest of their life with that. I this how they handle stuff like this in saudi arabia, you take someones normal life away by raping them, we take your life PERIOD. And Kyle, do you realize odds are that the STATE and YOUR taxes dollars go to pay for these disgusting scumbags to live not only FREE, but in your own neighborhood. So excuse me for feeling like if a couple lowlifes who dont deserve to live frankly, dont get out alive.
Now i do have alot of sympathy for the owner of the building. That very well could have been his livlyhood and its a shame he lost it
Michele, my point is,
Michele, my point is, regardless of what those who occupied the house are, were, are accused of being, they too have families, and I'm sure when those family members read comments like the ones posted above, can only feel hurt that anyone would wish a family member was injured in a fire.I guess its just another example of the kick em while their down mentality that is so prevalent on this site.
I have no sympathy for convicted sex offenders, but to just keep kicking someone, makes me wonder what the attraction is. Do those who post this hatred have such a pissy life, that beating up on others makes it feel better? This is the second time in a month where people have posted seriously negative remarks, and made fun of someone who obviously needs help. Makes me wonder why I keep coming back and viewing comments.
The Batavian does an excellent job of informing us of news as it happens, and I guess that is what attracts me to the site. I will have to take the good with the bad, and ignore the idiots.
I read on some news station
I read on some news station (cannot remember which) that the people recently who had gotten out of jail lived there.
I lived next door to a sex offender and this guy would sit on his porch and get mother after mother to stop w/her kids @ his house. It was disgusting to watch. Moms, teach your kids to be respectful but you do not stop and carry on a conversation w/just anyone. I just wanted to scream...RUN!
Right, Frank, how many times
Right, Frank, how many times have I read here how you wished hateful things on others. Basically any time someone disagrees with you. Well, guess if you disagree with frank you should die a sad miserable death while a sex offender gets free room and board. Let's hope nobody ever sexually abuses anyone in your family. And I mean that because nobody deservers that. People act as if it is nothing. I find that sick!
Frank, Kyle, 60% of sex
Frank, Kyle, 60% of sex offenders (especialy peodofiles) repeat their crimes after their release. Listen to Lorie, one of your family members gets raped and see how you feel about my "bigoted" comments.
Jacob, the sad truth is I bet
Jacob, the sad truth is I bet the percentage is WAY hugher. Unfortunately, because their victims are children it is a hard case to prove. It just makes me so sad. They know they can get away with victimizing these kids. They know the parents want to protect the kids. Parents!!! Get your heads out of your butts and take everything your kid is saying seriously. Do not let the scum continue to walk the earth. They are doing it to others! You will most likely stop it from happening to another family member.
They should allow us to stone
They should allow us to stone them and put it on public TV. That should REALLY make these people think twice. As far as these kind of crimes go, WAY to lenient. Its basicly "Oh, you only touched the little kids privates but didnt have sex, well then youll only get 5 years."
Oh and Frank, Kyle. heres the link again http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Batavia-New-York.html . I didnt just ASSUME there were some in there.
Lorie,don't bother,please,
Lorie,don't bother,please, you and I wouldn't agree on anything. Like I said, its all fun and games until it happens to your loved ones. Jacob, unless you don't read, or comprehend, I believe I posted that I check the sex offender registry periodically.
Michael Jackson was accussed of this, I didn't see all this hatred towards him, and he was accussed numerous times. Money talks, BS walks.
Lorie, I seem to recall a debate where a registered sex offender was being defended because of the nature of the offense, I see you also like to pick and choose. Should this"sex offender" be stoned in public as well?
I believe it was neighbor of a dude named Dennis, who, in your posts, was a morals criminal for flipping off a police officer, and from my own inference of your posts, Dennis was more of a threat to society than the registered sex offender.
Lorie, please back up your statement where I wished hateful things on others,who are no threat to me, or my way of life.
Oh, and by the way Lorie, I
Oh, and by the way Lorie, I actually enjoy when people disagree with me, its called debate, not sure you are familiar with the term. And where do you get off insinuating I would want sex offenders to get free room and board, or for those who disagree with me to die a sad miserable death, sounds like your words, not mine.
You seem to have had quite the collection of neighbors, jerkwad ex-cops, pedos, are they attracted to you, or is it just happen chance?, or are you just making it up, similiar to how you accused me of doing?
No offense, just curious.
Jacob I could be wrong but,
Jacob I could be wrong but, looking at the link, all the residents were charged with rape except 1 which was an oral without consent charge. So let's assume that Jacob gets drunk w a woman or just gets carried away she says yes at one point then changes her mind. But Jacob doesnt stop, guess what Jacob you would then be guilty of rape. Lets say it was consenual and then you treated the woman like dirt afterward, then she tell police it wasnt, your word against hers and in todays legal system you would still be a rapist and a sex offender. All offenses arent created equal. Now I'm not defending anyone actions who does commit this type of crime but its not always what it seems.
My point is you need to get the blinders off and see the real world in all its shades of grey, nothing is ever black and white. Generalizations are dangerous. If we followed your definition you could just as easily be stoned to death even though concieveably you did nothing wrong, just because the Govt decided to follow your suggestion of killing sex offenders.
Thats why we DONT handle stuff here like they do in saudi arabia. (Other than the fact that this isnt saudi arabia) If you like their way of living Jacob why dont you go live there.
by the way Jacob. children ( 11 yrs and up)
can be married off in Saudi Arabis too is that cool?
No problem on the error Sara
No problem on the error Sara I have had many late nights and early mornings as well.
Jacob, already has happened,
Jacob, already has happened, and you already know what I think. I agree with Kyle, things are not always what they seem, an example, an 18 year old male, and a 16 year old female fall desperately in love, have consensual sex, which can't happen because of the females age. The girls parents decide they really don't like this fella, and before you can throw the first stone, you got yourself a new member on the sex offender registry. Lets stone him to death for falling in love, and lets make sure all the news media shows up, so we can put a stop to this teenagers in love thing, before more teens fall in love.
A camel has more rights in Saudi Arabia than women.
"Back up your
"Back up your statements"
Well, Frank, we both know that is impossible because you edited all your posts during the middle of a meltdown.
How about you backing up your statements? Where did I ever defend a sex offender?
Lorie, READ MY POST SLOWLY
Lorie, READ MY POST SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY, I believe I said a sex offender was being defended, I mentioned no ones name in particular, I know I never wished a sad, miserable death on anyone, but if it makes you feel better to say I did, go ahead, I know better.
What have you been doing for the last month, sitting back, waiting to attack any post I make that doesn't subscribe to your high standards, or opinion?
It wasn't a meltdown either, it was a stress reliever once I found I couldn't leave the comment box blank, it was just fun, AND THEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR TOOK OVER. you should get one.
Posted by Jacob Bell on
Posted by Jacob Bell on October 12, 2010 - 10:51pm
Frank, Kyle, 60% of sex offenders (especialy peodofiles) repeat their crimes after their release.
Jacob,
where did you get that stat?
according to...
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=misunderstood-crimes the rate is much lower.
First, the notion that recidivism (repeat offending) is inevitable needs a second look. Recently sex crimes researcher Jill Levenson of Lynn University in Florida and her colleagues found that the average member of the general public believes that 75 percent of sex offenders will reoffend. This perception is consistent with media portrayals in such television programs as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, in which sex offenders are almost always portrayed as chronic repeaters.
The evidence suggests otherwise. Sex crimes researchers R. Karl Hanson and Kelly E. Morton-Bourgon of Public Safety Canada conducted a large-scale meta-analysis (quantitative review) of recidivism rates among adult sex offenders. They found a rate of 14 percent over a period averaging five to six years. Recidivism rates increased over time, reaching 24 percent by 15 years. The figures are clearly out of alignment with the public’s more dire expectations.
http://www.atsa.com/ppOffenderFacts.html
There is a perception that the vast majority of sex offenders will repeat their crimes. Research studies by the US Dept. of Justice and the Canadian Government have found, however, that sexual offense recidivism rates are much lower than commonly believed, averaging between 14 and 20% over 5-year follow-up periods. Studies that have tracked sex offenders over longer follow-up periods have found that pedophiles who molest boys, and rapists of adult women, were the types of offenders most likely to recidivate at rates of 52% and 39% respectively.
and there are more sources out there, just google it, even the second link which shows a higher stat, in one particular group, in general its lower.
like i said, more info out there, so where was your info from?
Bill, that was an eye opening
Bill, that was an eye opening article, but again, the media always seems to be involved in fear mongering. Look at the headline in todays daily news, even though 11 people lost their homes in the fire, the headline dedicates itself to the 4 "sex offenders " who lost their home.
I also wonder how many "sex offenders" were of the type I described, in my example post.Gotta google, curiosity got the best of me.
Kyle are you serious "Most of
Kyle are you serious "Most of them only raped someone". Yeah dude, they only forceable had sex with someone, totaly not a big deal. I seriously cant beleive you made that statement.
Jacob, Kyle can surely defend
Jacob, Kyle can surely defend himself, but I've searched this page and no where can I find where he said "Most of them only raped someone." A search of the page shows only one person said that -- you.
Thank You Howard.... saved me
Thank You Howard.... saved me from looking back myself, (which I did anyway) Also Thank you for the links Mr. Bogan I was gonna make that point myself but didnt have time today to look up the facts to prove re-offending rate was much lower. And Frank nice to see that some people have some common sense and sympathy for their fellow man....without conditions.
As for you Jacob, I guess you are set in your ways, from your responses you wont really listen to the other side as you have an agenda to fufill. So I drop the argument, I made my point you made yours...the court of public opinion can judge for themselves. Either way I am glad everyone got out safe, and I have great sympathy for them having to start over with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I went through an apartment fire myself in my late 20's and know what its like to start from scratch as well as lose photos, yearbooks and every momento of the past, I had christmas decorations that were in my family for a century disappear overnight. Those conditions would frustrate a law abiding citizen enough to become criminal minded to a point, let alone people who are trying to get life back together after serving the time required for whatever they did.
Jacob, were you involved in
Jacob, were you involved in an incident at a Batavia Youth football game a few years back? Just curious, your name sounds familiar to me, and I can't figure out why.
Kyle, I also have had the unfortunate experience of losing everything except the clothes on my back, maybe those experiences are what humbles us.
I agree with your point about time served, and trying to get life back together. It can be a tough road in and of itself, but when narrow mindedness and hatred stand in their way, its no wonder some repeat, after all, the label is still there, the mentality that you will always be what you were convicted of. Believe me, I have first hand knowledge of the way some think and feel towards those who strayed on the walk of life. As a recovering alcoholic, there have been many times where I ask myself,"why bother", no one cares, but thank God my answer has always been,"I care", and I continue my daily battle with a positive attitude.