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east pembroke

14-year-old with head injury requires Mercy Flight to hospital

By Billie Owens

A 14-year-old boy with a head injury will require Mercy Flight transportation to a hospital. He's a rider at the Area 51 motocross track in East Pembroke, located at 3500 Harloff Road.

The Batavia helicopter is responding, along with Mercy Medics and East Pembroke Fire Department.

He's believed to be in the "far left area" of the facility.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

A big pile of cars is on fire at Eddy Arnold's scrap yard, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A large pile of cars is on fire at Ed Arnold Scrap Processors at 2216 Angling Road in Corfu. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with an engine and tanker from Corfu.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department is called to respond mutual aid. Foam will be needed to fight the fire, which includes other debris such as "ground-up tires" and upholstery. An ambulance is called to provide aid to firefighters if need be.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Darien, Alexander, Pembroke, Indian Falls and Town of Batavia are also called in, along with fire police to control traffic.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: All traffic is being shut down at Route 33 and Angling Road.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: Fire is knocked down. Now doing overhaul.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The roads are reopened.

East Pembroke Fire's fundraiser for Trey

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department are organizing a fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 30, to assist Trey.

The 5-year-old is the son of heather Gill Palandino and Donald Newton Jr. He is being treated for Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari), is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine causing many symptoms.

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Motorcycle crash at Brown and Simonds roads, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at Brown and Simonds roads. The rider is conscious and alert but the bike is on top of him. Mercy Flight is on air standby. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

The subject is fully outfitted for riding. He's in water, his head is not.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Mercy Flight was called to the scene and has landed.

UPDATE 8:19 p.m.: The patient, who landed in a ditch, is now onboard the helicopter.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, but we don't know its destination.

UPDATE 8:35 p.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.

Tractor-trailer loses part of drive shaft on Eastbound Thruway, spills diesel

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is leaking a significant amount of diesel fuel at the travel service center in Pembroke, located at 8319 Indian Falls Road.

Also, a portion of the disabled vehicle's drive shaft fell off in an eastbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 398.7. State Troopers are on scene and it has been removed, but three vehicles are damaged after striking it. There's fuel covering the roadway in that area "as far as I can see" says an officer at the scene.

The East Pembroke fire chief is asking for absorbant material and foam for the fuel spill at the travel center.

"We're going to need a lot of speed dry. It's pouring out like a water hose."

There's a four-inch rip in the truck's gas tank and is gushing so much it's covering the parking lot and is now pouring into the drainage and sewer system.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is being called out, along with the county Emergency Management Department's Haz-Mat team, and the state Department of Transportation.

Firefighters report being all out of speedy dry at the East Pembroke Fire Hall and will call on the Town of Batavia Fire Department for some. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to the travel center to provide mutual aid.

About 120 gallons of fuel has leaked and it's still gushing. The tank was full and now it's down to an eighth of a tank. At least a truckload of absorbant materials is needed. A boom is going to be used to try and prevent any more flow from going into the drainage system.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: When asked how the spill was, a firefighter said "It's come down a lot -- either that or she's almost out of fuel."

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: The East Pembroke chief says fire crews cleaned up as much of the spill as they could and the remainder of it will be handled by the Thruway Authority and the DEC. Fire crews which responded are back in service, including Corfu, which was standing by in its quarters.

Possible structure fire on South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A possible structure fire is reported at 7475 S. Pearl Street Road in Oakfield. It is believed to stem from an electrical problem in the basement, which is showing some white smoke. Oakfield Fire Department is responding and mutual aid is requested from East Pembroke, Town of Batavia, and Alabama, which is called to fill in at Oakfield's hall. Everyone is out of the building.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: The electrical circuits have been shut off and Oakfield is waiting for National Grid to arrive. All mutual aid responders back in service.

Wires, tree down on Main Road, Pembroke, truck traffic stopped at routes 5 and 77

By Billie Owens

Three primary power lines / poles are down in the roadway in the area of 1428 Main Road in Pembroke, just past Boyce Road. The wires were arcing and smoking. Cables lines are also hanging low across the roadway, and a fallen tree is laying on them. Tractor-trailers will be stopped by fire police at routes 5 and 77.

Pembroke, East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid and the cable company have been notified.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: National Grid and Time Warner reps are on scene. Once the low-hanging cables wires are disconnected, tractor-trailers will be allowed through.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: All traffic can proceed; roadways reopened.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls are back in service.

Local racer has two quads stolen just as season is about to start

By Howard B. Owens

Two four-wheel ATVs have been stolen from a residence in East Pembroke and the owner is offering a cash reward for their return.

They belong to Parker Dean, who has been racing motocross and flat track on the local and national circuit for eight years. The theft comes at a particularly bad time -- the start of the season.

One is a blue 2001 Yamaha Raptor 660 with ITP Holeshot  front tires and ITP mud lite rear tires, DG front bumper, TCS front shocks with black PEP shock covers and carbon fiber hand guards.

The other ATV is green Suzuki Ltr 450 with a custom black and green Quadtech seat, gunmetal hinson clutch cover, Quadtech carbon fiber shock guards, 127 number plate.

The reward will be paid upon return of the quads and "conviction of the scum who sold them," according to the flyer we were sent.

Call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000 with any information that may assist in the investigation.

Car fire at Wortendyke and Route 33

By Billie Owens

A car fire with flames shooting from the engine compartment is reported on Wortendyke Road near Route 33. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: A responder on scene says "I think we got it knocked down with a few extinguishers." East Pembroke just arrived at the scene.

The mystery of the 'balloon' falling from the sky near Pratt Road is solved

By Howard B. Owens

It's a bird. It's a plane. No, .... it's a piece of a farmer's crop cover.

Remember the story Saturday about a balloon "or something like" falling from the sky near Pratt Road.

One resident described it as "a giant roll of toilet paper" flying through the air.

East Pembroke's fire chief, Don Newton, called today and clued us in on what really happened.

On Friday, a local farmer put down a 250x50-foot cloth crop cover over freshly planted seeds. It was weighted down with soil.

But a strong enough gust of wind hit East Pembroke on Saturday to rip up a portion of the cover and send it flying through the air. It traveled a good long distance before getting snagged in the trees.

Everybody who responded thought it was a weather balloon and spent a good deal of time looking for the weather device that would have been attached to it. The Buffalo weather station wanted it back.

But, we now know, there was no such device attached.

Newton said the farmer was afraid he'd be in a bit of trouble for the mishap, but Newton reassured him -- you're a farmer, this is an agricultural community, things happen.

Big balloon - or something like it - lands in trees off Pratt Road, East Pembroke responding

By Billie Owens

The Emergency Dispatch Center has received a couple of calls reporting a big balloon of some sort crashed into the trees off Pratt Road, east of Powers Road, by the Thruway, and in the woods.

The contraption is hung up in the trees. It's unknown if occupied. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding, along with Mercy medics as a precaution. Mercy Flight is also put on standby.

A responder on scene said he saw the balloon come down pretty fast and it looked liked a "roll of toilet paper coming down."

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Witnesses at the scene say no one is in the thing, which is said to be a weather balloon. East Pembroke and medics are put back in service.

UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: The weather service in Buffalo told dispatchers these types of balloons are put up every 12 hours, every day. This one apparently fell short due to a lack of wind. The white object seen falling from it is thought to be its instrument box. Responders say they haven't located it and think it might be in the swamp. If it's found it will be sent back to Buffalo. The weather service doesn't want the damaged balloon back, just the instrument box.

UPDATE Monday, April 29: This wasn't a weather balloon after all. It is a "crop blanket" from a nearby farm. The farmer told authorities that he had put it over his crop on Friday and on Saturday half of it tore off and blew away. Intact, the crop blanket measured 250 feet by 50 feet.

Head-on collision on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A two-car, head-on collision is reported in the area of 8419 Indian Falls Road, north of Pratt Road. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is apprised and available. East Pembroke Fire Department and two Mercy Medic units are responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m.: A responder on scene reports the vehicles are well off the roadway, not blocking, and the occupants claim no injuries. Medics will continue in order to evaluate.

CSX Railroad crossings closed to traffic in portions of county until midnight

By Billie Owens

Some railroads crossings of the CSX line in Genesee County will be temporarily closed this evening in portions of the Town of Batavia, Darien, Corfu and East Pembroke.

Railroad crossings will be closed to all traffic on Wortendyke, Upton, Wilkinson and Colby roads, and Ellinwood Avenue, and possibly at other locations along that rail route.

The closure is expected to last until approximately midnight.

Truck's engine on fire next to building on Killian Road

By Billie Owens

A fully involved truck fire next to a building is reported at 2369 Killian Road. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding. The location is on the corner of Killian and Pratt roads. The engine compartment is engulfed in flames, according to a person on scene.

Fire reported in apartment in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A structure fire is reported 735 Genesee St., Corfu.

Corfu fire along with Pembroke, East Pembroke, Darien and the City's Fast Team all dispatched.

Firefighters on scene say people are still in the house and they're trying to get them out. The fire is at the back of the structure, possibily on a porch.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: The City's Fast Team is cancelled.

UPDATE 11:35 p.m.: The fire is knocked down. Crittendon and Akron were also called, but now are cancelled.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: Corfu returning to quarters.

Chimney fire reported on Genesee Street in Corfu

By Billie Owens

A passerby reported flames coming from a chimney at 856 Genesee St. in Corfu. Corfu, City of Batavia Fire Department's Fast Team along with Darien, Pembroke, East Pembroke, and Indian Falls are called to the scene. First responders confirm flames shooting from the chimney.

UPDATE 11:46 p.m.: Only Corfu and Darien are told to continue to the scene. Akron and Crittenden, the Fast Team and the others are cancelled. An infrared camera and a ladder to access the side of the house are requested.

Car fire next to house on Hartshorn Road

By Billie Owens

A car is on fire next to a residence at 8850 Hartshorn Road. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: A responder reports the car fire is fully involved.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fire is out.

Motor-vehicle accident in Pembroke at Main and Boyce roads

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, is reported in Pembroke at Main and Boyce roads. It's in East Pembroke Fire District and they are responding along with Mercy medics. The accident took down a pole with live lines across Route 5 and it is blocking traffic. Traffic police will be needed and are called to routes 5 and 77.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: They will shut down Route 5 at Indian Falls Road. Responders are told to use caution as the pavement is very slippery. National Grid is notified.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: There are injuries, no other details yet.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Only local traffic (residents) will be permitted on Cleveland Road. They are going to close Cleveland Road at Indian Falls Road.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: A National Grid rep is now on scene.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: National Grid estimates it will be about an hour before they can send out a work crew to remove the wires, etc., from the roadway.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Because of the hazardous road conditions, Boyce and Route 33 is being closed to all but local traffic.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: National Grid workers are at the scene so roads can be reopened when they are finished clearing the pole and wires.

Car, pole accident in East Pembroke

By Alecia Kaus

A car, pole accident with possible minor injury has been reported on Stegman Road between Slusser and Powers roads.

Mercy Medic 1 and East Pembroke fire responding.

One subject is out of the vehicle walking around, talking on the phone. Mercy medic will be responding non-emergency.

Damage to the pole is minimal and the driver is shaken up a bit.

UPDATE 9:33 p.m.: Mercy Medic 1 on scene.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: National Grid has been notified about the pole.

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Mercy Medic 1 transporting one to UMMC.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m.: National Grid has a 35-minute ETA.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: East Pembroke assignment back in service.

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