fire

A Washington Avenue resident with a criminal history and wanted on a warrant was taken into custody this morning after police were called to a domestic incident where he allegedly threatened to shoot police and later set fire to his own apartment.

Eddie Miles eventually came down a ladder from the back of the apartment on his own, which allowed firefighters to begin attacking the fire in the second floor and attic of 207 Washington Ave., Batavia.

He was taken to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained in the domestic incident and the subsequent blaze.

Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence said the dispatch center received a call about a domestic incident at the upper apartment at 8:55 this morning. Two officers quickly responded and Miles allegedly smashed a window and threatened to use a firearm against them.

At that point, a perimeter was established in the neighborhood with the aid of the Sheriff's Office and State Troopers. There was a reverse 9-1-1 call placed to neighbors near the scene, telling them to lockdown, shelter in place. 

Police grabbed a ladder from neighbors at the scene, though the woman jump from the stoop roof into the arms of police officers. She was taken to the hospital for the evaluation of injuries sustained in the domestic incident, Lawrence said.

A fire, believed to have been intentionally set by Miles, broke out in the rear of the upper apartment. Miles refused to leave and kept calling 9-1-1, demanding to speak with the female, who had by then been transported to the hospital.

As smoke poured from the house, police were concerned for the safety of firefighters with a potentially armed suspect still at large. The firefighters could not approach the house. An unarmed Miles came out on the roof. Between the very cold weather and the house fire, Lawrence said the bare-footed Miles had some incentive to climb down the ladder unaided. 

He was taken into custody.

Fire scene commander Lt. Greg Ireland said it goes against a firefighter's nature to sit back and watch a house burn but until the suspect was in custody that was all city crews could do. They were initially called to the scene to assist with rescuing the woman from the house, which was not yet on fire when they were called. Once they were cleared to attack the fire, firefighters made quick work of it and contained the fire to the second floor and attack.

Lawrence said police are not certain Miles actually had a firearm; none was found.

At about 1 p.m., City Fire cleared the scene, but police and code enforcement remain on Washington Avenue and the duty sergeant has informed dispatch, this incident will tie up the officers who responded for much of the rest of the day. Additional patrols are on duty.

In addition to other arrests over the past few years, Miles was a suspect in a choking incident and the injection of a purple liquid into a dog in August.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: In response to rumors being spread on social media, we asked if the police used tear gas. Chief Shawn Heubusch said there was no tear gas used. Further, police believe evidence points to Miles starting the fire, not the police.

Photos by Howard Owens. Howard Owens contributed to the reporting of this story.

Video submitted by Jim Horncastle.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Jim Horncastle.

A shed fire is reported at 8449 North Lake Road, Pembroke.

A chief on scene reports that it looks like the only thing in the shed is a motorcycle.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and the City's Fast team dispatched.

UPDATE 5:56 a.m.: Indian Falls engine returning; in service. 

UPDATE 6:46 a.m.: All units back in service. Fire coordinators and deputies remaining in scene. 

A chicken coop fire is reported at 3246 Galloway Road.

A first responder on scene reports two sheds, one completely on the ground, the other starting to get fully involved, about 50 feet from the residence.

Town of Batavia fire with mutual aid from Oakfield dispatched.

UPDATE 6:48 a.m.: East Pembroke requested to stand by in quarters. The flammables and snowblower removed from the second shed.

UPDATE 6:53 a.m.: Per town command, everything on the road can respond non-emergency. East Pembroke can go back in service.

A skidster is reportedly on fire inside a barn at 7116 Norton Road, Elba. The barn is 75 feet from a house. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Byron. Stafford is requested to stand by in quarters. The location is between Ford and Edgerton roads.

UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: Fire police are requested to shut down traffic at Route 262 and Edgerton Road. Command at the scene tells responders to "take it easy coming in," due to road conditions.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: City Engine 11 and Town of Batavia Engine 24 are on scene, too. This is now a working barn fire.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: Fire police also requested for traffic control at the intersection of Edgerton and Norton roads, and at Batavia Elba Townline Road and Norton Road.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: This occurred at barns owned by Torrey Farms. The fire did not cause structural damage to the barn. Some hay spread through the barn did catch on fire. But there were 120 cows inside and all of them were unharmed and safely evacuated. Cow trailers are being deployed to shuttle the cows to CY Farms' Heifer Farm, where they will be kept temporarily. It is estimated that it will take about 10 trips to transport the cows for safekeeping.

UPDATE 6:24  p.m.: Elba Fire Chief Mike Heale said the skidster fire sparked some hay but there's no significant structural damage to the barn; some top beams may be singed in places -- a later inspection can confirm that. Heale said there was no extension of the blaze.

UPDATE 6:57 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service, returning.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.: Elba back in service. Roads reopened.

UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: Correction, the road is still closed. It is closed until the cows have been moved so the trucks can more safely back in. There is at least one more round trip for the trucks.

A tractor fire, near the maintenance building, is reported at the Stafford Country Club.

Stafford fire responding.

UPDATED 12:40 p.m.

A candle may have sparked a structure fire at 2210 Judge Road shortly after 8 a.m. that caused smoke inhalation and burns for one resident of the apartment building.

Alabama Chief Gary Patnode said the cause is under investigation but the resident mentioned a candle before being transported to ECMC by Mercy EMS for treatment.

A dog in an upstairs apartment succumbed to the smoke and two cats were rescued, including one that required emergency medical assistance from volunteer personnel at the scene.

The apartment complex is a former store that contains four units, but only two were occupied.

When Alabama fire was first dispatched, there was an upstairs resident who was unaccounted for and firefighters immediately searched the upstairs unit. The man is a former Alabama volunteer and his wife is a current volunteer. After some phone calls, Patnode said, the man was located at another location and was safe.

Another person was evaluated at the scene by Mercy personnel.

A quick response helped get the fire knocked down quickly, Patnode said, but he credited the resident, primarily, for closing the door behind her when left the structure.

"The homeowner did the right thing," Patnode said. "She closed the door upon exiting the apartment, which primarily kept (the fire) confined to their apartment. The fire was oxygen deprived upon our going in there. Pretty much, it burned itself out."

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Initial reports below:

A house fire is reported at 2180 2210 Judge Road, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pembroke, Oakfield, East Pembroke, Elba, Darien, Shelby and the city's Fast Team. No people are entrapped, but there may be animals inside. The third platoon is requested to stand by in city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: Two people have minor burns on their hands. One is at the house next door and the other is at the church on the corner. Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is responding. Traffic will be shut down by fire police at Route 63 and Gorton Road, and Route 63 and Macomber Road.

UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: Code enforcement and National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Indian Falls was also called and now Akron is asked to stand by in the Indian Falls' station. 

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Alabama command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 9:17 a.m.: Any tanker called but not yet deployed is returned to service. A fill-in from Town of Batavia is requested to Oakfield Fire Hall.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: Corfu is called to stand by in its own quarters.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m.: Fire is out; doing overhaul and ventilating.

UPDATE 9:33 a.m.: One person was transported to ECMC with minor burns and suffering from smoke inhalation. Another person is being evaluated by medics at the scene.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: The pet dog died in the fire and was just removed by firefighters. Responders are trying to resuscitate one pet cat and another one made it out safely.

UPDATE 9:48 a.m.: The ailing cat was successfully resuscitated and is fine now.

UPDATE 10:13 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire and Sheldon fire requested to return to scene. 

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Elba requested to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: Crews are picking up.

A caller reports seeing flames at the construction site at 4187 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: First responder: "Confirmed. Looks like a small fire."

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Fire must be out. Town assignment back in service.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Another fire reported at the same location.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Town of Batavia assignment back in service.

A stove fire is reported at 3163 Stannard Road, Alexander.

Alexander fire, along with Town of Batavia's ladder truck and East Pembroke, dispatched.

No farm animals were lost in a barn fire at 8090 Black Street Road, Le Roy, this evening, though the barn was a total loss.

The fire was reported at 4:45 p.m. with flames showing and was fully involved when firefighters first arrived on scene.

Pavilion fire, along with Le Roy, Bethany and Stafford responded to the fire with medical aid backup provided by Le Roy ambulance. Emergency Service and the Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene.

Crews were preparing to the leave the fire location at 8:30 p.m.

The fire is under investigation, but Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger said investigators are looking at a parked tractor as a possible cause.

(initial report)

A possible barn fire is reported at 8090 Black Street Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion fire and a ladder truck from Le Roy dispatched.

UPDATE 4:51 p.m.: Report of flames showing. Stafford and Bethany dispatched. Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: The fire is in a smaller, metal sided-barn on the property, not the large centuries-old structure also located there.

Smoke and flames are showing in a crawl space to the attic of 1772 Genesee St., Corfu.

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

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 1:17 p.m.: Second platoon called to city fire headquarters. A thermal imaging camera is requested.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: This is a one-story wood-frame structure.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: Responding units on the road told to come in non-emergency mode; staging area is on the south side of the address. All available interior manpower on scene called to fight the fire.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Fire is under control; doing extensive overhaul.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: The fire appears to have been started by a hot water heater. Flames went up the walls into the attic. Firefighters are dousing hot spots now.

A house fire is reported at 865 Gabbey Road, Town of Pembroke. Several callers to dispatch, including the homeowner and neighbors, report flames coming from the residence. The location is between Lyman and Marble roads.

It is four-unit apartment complex, with heavy fire on the east side and no exposures, says a first responder on scene, noting a fire hydrant is in front. All residents are out.

National Grid is called to the scene. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called along with Darien, East Pembroke, Corfu, and Town of Batavia. Alabama is asked to send a tanker to the scene and a crew to fill in at Pembroke's Fire Hall. The city's Fast Team is also responding and its second platoon is to report to city headquarters.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: Pembroke command: "Fire knocked down; checking for extensions."

UPDATE 10:32 p.m.: Jamie Waff, chief of Pembroke Fire District, said shortly after 9 p.m. firefighters were called to a working house fire. When he arrived on scene the east side of the four-unit apartment building was engulfed in flames, which is where the "electrical bank" was located. But the fire had not spread upstairs. All tenants were out. Firefighters quickly made a "good attack" on the structure and were able to get out three pet cats who lived there. They knocked down the blaze and Waff said "very minimal damage" was done inside and minimal damage was sustained in the attack. Waff said, including stand-in and fill-in units, 10 fire companies responded. One tenant was not home at the time the fire broke out, but all residents will be displaced by the fire tonight. The county's Emergency Management Office is handling the situation. "The guys did an excellent job doing a knockdown on the second floor, pulling the ceilings down," Waff said.

A fire is reported in a wall of the Log Cabin Restaurant, 1227 Gilmore Road, Indian Falls.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and City of Batavia Fast Team dispatched.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Corfu dispatched mutual aid. Also, it's possible the fire is out.

UPDATE 12:14 p.m.: City fire can go back in service. Newstead fire requested to the scene. Additional manpower needed from Pembroke and Indian Falls.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Newstead canceled.

UPDATE 12:18  p.m.: Fire is out. It was an electrical outlet in the kitchen. Health Department response requested because an extinguisher was used.

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls back in service. The chief informs dispatch that staff was instructed not to use the kitchen until the Health Department inspector arrives.

Residents at 43 Tracy Ave. report an unknown type explosion in their basement.

They've been advised to evacuate.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: Possible furnace malfunction. No smoke or flames at this time. Investigating.

Investigators have yet to determine how a fire started Friday night that destroyed a barn and killed livestock at 1239 Judge Road in Alabama.

There was an initial report that somebody was seen running from the scene just before the fire broke out but Investigator Chad Minuto said no witnesses interviewed so far corroborates that story.

"We don't know where that report came from," he said.

Minuto said several interviews have been conducted and there are several more to take place to try and uncover what people know or saw. At the time, investigators from the county's Emergency Management Service are sifting through evidence to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire.

There is no evidence to emerge yet that the fire was intentionally set.

All of the horses and cows that were in the barn have been accounted for, Minuto said, but all of the rabbits, goats, and sheep, except either one goat or sheep, perished in the fire. That goat or sheep came out of the barn after the fire was out and Minuto said it's his understanding that animal may not be in good health.

Bergen fire along with Le Roy's ladder truck have been dispatched to a residence on Emily Court, Bergen, where smoke is reported in the residence; unknown cause.

There is reportedly a male in the house behaving strangely and refusing to leave. He is now reported outside the residence.

Law enforcement and Mercy EMS also dispatched.

A chief on scene reports there is no fire.

A working barn fire, that a caller believes to be intentionally set, is reported at 1239 Judge Road in Alabama. The location is between Crosby and Alleghany roads. Flames are visible from Bloomingdale Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding. The third platoon is called to Alabama's headquarters.

UPDATE 10:13 p.m.: According to Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster, earlier this evening Alabama Fire Department was dispatched for a working barn fire; several agencies were also dispatched, including the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the Emergency Management Office.

"There was a report that came over dispatch (of a fire suspicious in nature) but nothing to led to that conclusion," Schildwaster said, adding that "nobody was seen leaving." He said the investigators were in the "very preliminary, very early stages of investigation." He noted that "we do believe there is loss of life (livestock) in the barn." Also, although there was initially a report of minor burns to a human, no subsequent reports of that appear valid.

UPDATE Saturday, 1:04 a.m.: Photos added.

A smoke detector in the room of 66-year-old Lance Dery did not have a battery in it at the time a fire broke out at the Sunset Motel on West Main Street Road, Batavia, Saturday, according to a Sheriff's Office investigator.

Dery was found dead in the motel room when firefighters arrived at the fire scene. The fire had not spread and was confined to Dery's room. The cause of the fire appears to be a cigarette in the bed, though an autopsy has yet to be completed so officials don't know yet if Dery suffered a medical condition or died as a result of the fire, said Investigator Chris Parker.

As to the smoke detector, fire inspector and code compliance officer for the Town of Batavia, Mathew Mahaney, said the investigation is ongoing and no citations have been issued.

"As of right now, the Town of Batavia has no outstanding building or zoning violations associated with the property," Mahaney said. "We are waiting for the investigation to be completed so that we can follow up. We will follow up on similar occupancies to ensure that all places of business are complying with all procedures for life safety."

The Batavian's news partner WBTA contributed to this report.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fire that occurred at an area motel this morning.

At 8:57 a.m. today the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a fire at the Sunset Motel, located at 4054 W. Main Street Road (Route 5) in the Town of Batavia. Crews from the Town of Batavia Fire Department arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the fire quickly, keeping the fire contained to one room.

The occupant of the room, Lance Dery -- age 66, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Dery was smoking in his bed, which ignited the blankets and mattress.

Coronor Karen Lang directed Dery be taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.

The investigation is continuing by the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Genesee County Emergency Management Office and the Sheriff's Office.

(For initial post, click here.)

A working structure fire was reported at the Sunset Motel at 4054 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. It started in Room #6 Correction: It was not Room 6. A first responder on scene said the doorknob is hot to the touch.

Town of Batavia Fire Department responded. Fire was immediately knocked down. There is one occupant in the room.

UPDATED 9:09 a.m.: Mercy medics squad #1 is on scene.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: "An ambulance won't be needed per command."

UPDATE 10:12 a.m. (By Howard): One person was found deceased in the motel room when firefighters made entry. An investigation has yet to determine if the victim died before the fire started or as a result of the fire. It was a small fire said Town of Batavia Fire Deputy Chief Chad Higgins. "I pulled in on location," Higgins said, "went to the door, the door was hot, tried to make entry through the door, there was too much smoke. Our first engine company was right behind me. They made entry, found one victim, a small fire ...  the fire had pretty much already snuffed itself out. Once we opened the door, we gave it a little more oxygen but we were able to knock the fire down with an extinguisher, so it wasn't a very big fire." Information about the victim isn't being released pending family notification. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.