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Fire on Bank Street destroys garage

By Howard B. Owens

A fire at 130 Bank St., Batavia, destroyed an old garage and the items inside and partially damaged a neighbor's garage.

The fire was reported about 10:45 a.m. when a resident came home and saw smoke coming from the garage. By the time fire crews were on scene, flames were visible.

The homeowner, a 47-year resident, said he lost an ATV, snow blower, two bikes and other equipment. While Chief Ralph Hyde said he suspected a wood-burning stove in the garage, the owner said he had recently cleaned the stove and it wasn't in use at the time. He suspected it was an electrical fire.

Kelly Herold, a claims supervisor for Tompkins Insurance, was on scene quickly meeting with her clients. She watched the City's firefighters move quickly to dose the flames.

“The Fire Department did a great job," Herold observed. "It was a good save. They were able to contain the fire to the barn with limited damage to the surrounding homes."

The photo was submitted by reader Tricia Zdep. The bottom two photos were submitted by another reader.

Doug Yeomans

Burn marks look like they're around the stove area in the picture from the back of the structure but the heat melted the neighboring structure from the front. Weird, huh?

Jan 22, 2010, 2:04pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

The stack doesn't look to be up to code, either. It's supposed to be a certain distance above any peak or wall within 10' laterally if I'm not mistaken. I believe that's a minimum of 3' but it could vary with differing building codes.

Jan 22, 2010, 2:11pm Permalink
DOUGLAS MCCLURG

I build sheds and garages -- Thats my plug -- talk about It again in 6 months -- sorry Howard -- I know this Isn't the shed guy Hotline!!
HAPPY AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE!!!

Jan 22, 2010, 8:00pm Permalink
jonathan bell

looks to me like the batavia fire department did a great job controling the fire and stopping it from spreading. You guy still think privatizing the fire dedpartment is still a good idea?

Jan 23, 2010, 5:22pm Permalink

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