fire

If one picture could tell a story, this would be it. The eastern exposure of Country Hill Gifts with its second-story flower box completely unharmed by a fully involved fire that destroyed the former grocery store building at the corner of Ellicott Street Road and West Park Street. There's no real damage to the entire eastern exposure.

And the building to the north of the destroyed building is also fine.

Chad Freeman said today once the fire started, it was largely fought defensively with a mind toward saving the neighboring structures.

The cause was likely electrical with a line arcing, causing insulation in the second floor ceiling to smoke and burn until air hit it, giving fuel to the fire.

Freeman noted that the first floor was almost completely undamaged by the fire. The building was too heavily damaged, however, and last night an excavator had to knock it down.

This afternoon, crews were on scene to pump water from the basement of Country Hill, but there was even very little smell of smoke in the store.

The two items below were posted to the Pavilion, New York Facebook page by Jay Brooks. A bit of the store's history.

A manure pile is on fire at 8122 Marble Road, according to a farm hand there. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. The location is between Akron and Gabbey roads.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: The site is next to the alpaca farm. A responder on scene says "it's smokin' pretty good."

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Fire is out. Indian Falls is back in service.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: Pembroke is back in service.

After nearly an hour on scene in Pavilion yesterday, I told a chief things seemed under control and I was heading back home to my yard work.

At that point, the two-story commercial and residential structure at the corner of Ellicott Street Road and West Park Street looked fine. There was a faint whiff of smoke in the air, but no smoke showing and certainly no visible fire.

"You might want to stick around," the chief said.

A firefighter told me a few minutes later as he laid out hose from a tanker truck, "this could get really interesting really fast."

Later the chief would tell me, "see, my worst fears came true."

The origin of the fire was in the crawl space of the attic. An area covered in hard wood, spray-in installation and only 18 inches of space in any direction.

First Assistant Chief Sean Vogt said his crew was poking through the ceiling, trying to find the right access point to the smoldering fire and Le Roy's crew had punched a ventilation hole in the roof, then the fire took on a life of its own.

"If we we could have gotten up there, gotten our hose lines up there, wetted it down, maybe we could have saved a little more of the building, but with it going through the roof, it just flashed over on us too fast," Vogt said. "It was just rough."

Pavilion's volunteer firefighters responded to the structure at 2:40 p.m. for the report of smoke in the building. Le Roy was immediately requested to the scene. Soon, responses from Bethany and Stafford were requested as well, then Bergen.

By the time fire broke out, there were two ladder trucks in position (Town of Batavia had its ladder in place minutes after the first flame erupted through the roof).

Even with Le Roy shooting water at the first flames, the blaze spread quickly once it got going.

As big and as destructive as the fire became, firefighters did manage to contain it to the one building, even though a house sat inches from the north wall and another commercial building was only two or three feet to the west.

County records do not list what year the building was constructed, but the west wall was covered in the same faux-brick metal siding that show up in 150-year-old photos of the former Wiss Hotel in Le Roy (the last building standing that I know of in Genesee County with this siding is in Corfu).

As many as 200 firefighters from Genesee, Livingstone and Wyoming counties responded to the fire. 

While the responding fire trucks can pump at least 1,250 gallons of water per minute, the fire hydrants in Pavilion flow at no more than 450 gallons per minute. At least a dozen tanker trucks responded to the scene to draw water from a nearby creek to provide additional water flow.

At least two firefighters were overcome by smoke and heat and were transported by Mercy EMS to area hospitals for evaluation.

Initially, while the fire was just smoldering, residents of the apartments were able to retrieve some belongings. The residents of the house to the north rescued their cat before the smoke got heavy.

Red Cross was on scene to provide food and beverages for firefighters.

(Initial Report)

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A small mulch fire is reported outside Tops Market in Batavia near Lewiston Road. City firefighters are responding.

A possible fire is reported at 6946 Ellicott Street Road in an apartment above the Heavenly Sweets Bakery & Deli. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy. The caller is a resident who came home and found the smell of something burning inside the building and a light haze.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: The first responder on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: This is now a working structure fire. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to the scene and Stafford is also requested to provide a fill-in engine and crew for the Pavilion Fire Hall.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: A Mercy medic unit is requested to come in non-emergency in case needed.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: The city's Fast Team is requested to respond.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: The city's first platoon is called to stand by in its headquarters.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Heavy smoke is reported in the attic.

UPDATE 3:33 p.m.: Firefighters are informed that the attic runs the length of the entire building, which is quite large.

UPDATE 3:34 p.m.: The roof has been opened up but only light haze is coming out. Bergen is asked to fill in at Le Roy Fire Station.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Confirmed that all occupants are out of the building.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Calendonia fire is on scene to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: More smoke is filling the second floor. They are going to draw water from Hanson's crick.

UPDATE 4:01 p.m.: Although there are no flames visible, command is still concerned about the potential for combustion. The building's sprayed insulation is smoldering and causing much of the smoke, which makes it difficult for firefighters to see inside.

UPDATE 4:08 p.m.: York firefighters are on scene and establishing a draft site.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: A Sheriff's deputy is called to the scene to secure firearms.

UPDATE 4:44 p.m.: Town of Batavia's fill-in crew is requested to the scene. Heavy black smoke is pouring from the roof where they opened it up.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: All interior firefighters are told to get out. Now they're going to open up the side of the building.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The color of the smoke spewing out the windows is changing color, reports a firefighter. South Byron fire is asked to stage in their quarters.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Darien, East Pembroke and Elba firefighters are asked to man their ladder tanker trucks and stand by in their own quarters in case needed at the scene or anywhere in Genesee County.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Firefighters are ordered off the roof. Another Bethany crew is asked to stand by in their hall.

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: Interior firefighters from Alexander are asked to stage in their quarters. Flames are said to be visible.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: National Grid has shut off power to the burning building and the one next to it.

UPDATE 5:14 p.m.: National Fuel reps are on scene and are asked to shut off the gas lines(s) to the buildings at the street.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: A second Mercy rig is asked to stand by at the fire scene.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: Some standby tankers are called in, plus another South Byron crew is told to report to their hall. All staging for fire crews is being moved to the front of the bank. Barre fire is asked to stand by in Barre's hall.

UPDATE 5:37: Town of Batavia's Rescue 20 and all available interior manpower called in.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: The second story is completely gutted and the building is a total loss. Heavy equipment is en route to raze the structure. A crew from Wyoming Correctional Facility is on scene to help with clean-up. A pet cat was rescued.

A tractor-trailer fire is reported on the Thruway near the rock cut by Genesee Community College.

Smoke and flames coming from the cab, according to the initial caller.

The truck is believed to be in the westbound lane.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

UPDATE 8:44 a.m.: Call back from the driver. It's near mile marker 387 in the eastbond lane. The driver reports the fire knocked down, but there's still smoke in the cab. The saddle tank was damaged by the fire. It's still smoldering. There is a fuel leak.

A mulch fire is reported in the parking lot at Save-A-Lot in the city. That's at the corner of Jackson and Ellicott streets. City fire is on scene.

UPDATE 4:01 p.m.: The call to dispatch was made by DPW.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: Fire commands reports mulch fire was out upon their arrival. The assignment is back in service.

UPDATE (By Howard): Fire started by a discarded cigarette, apparently. A passerby stomped it out before fire crews arrived.

A garden shed fire is reported at 7979 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford.

Stafford and Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

UPDATE 5:51 p.m.: The caller reports that there is about 50 gallons of gas inside the shed.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: There's no immediate exposure problem. There are other structures on the property but nothing extremely close.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: A Town of Batavia responder reports smoke visable from Bank Street. Another responder reports, "I've got a visual. She's going pretty good." A tanker from Elba is requested.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: Elba can respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: Photo submitted by Karnenko Overs Barlog. Also, Mercy EMS requested to the scene to evaluate a firefighter.

The Jerome Center at 16 Bank St. in Downtown Batavia is being evacuated due to the smell of smoke in the building. Several electrical circuit breakers have blown, according to maintenance workers in the basement. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The scene is turned over to the building maintenance workers and National Gird. The city assignment is back in service.

An unknown type of fire, possibly burning tires, is reported in the woods behind 68 S. Lake Ave. Bergen firefighters are responding.

A car fire is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 394. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Oakfield and Indian Falls. Mercy medics are also responding. It's unknown if there are injuries.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: East Pembroke command reports the vehicle is unoccupied. Oakfield is put back in service.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: Fire knocked down. Mercy medics are back in service.

A possible electrical fire is reported inside the residence at 6173 Ellicott Street Road. Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments are responding. The location is at the corner of Transit Road.

UPDATE 11:11 a.m.: National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: National Grid is there now.

UPDATE 12:18 p.m.: The assignment is back in service.

An Oakfield fire chief has requested a deputy to a residence on Pine Street where there is a controlled burn taking place.

The chief says it's an ongoing problem.

A structure fire is reported at the Oatka Creek Mobile Park at 8131 E. Main Road. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: A Caledonia pumper is en route with a full interior crew.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: Le Roy Engine 63 on scene; reporting nothing showing.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: Le Roy command reports there is some black smoke but it's from a kerosene heater; no fire.

UPDATE 2:06 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is in service.

A possible chimney fire is reported at 7060 Fox Road, Oakfield.

Smoke is reported in the residence.

Oakfield Fire dispatched with a tanker from Elba, a tanker and engine from Alabama, with East Pembroke to fill in at Oakfield's hall.

UPDATE 8:29 p.m.: An Oakfield chief on scene. Nothing showing at this time.

UPDATE 8:31 p.m.: Holding Elba and Alabama in quarters at this time.

UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: Alabama, Elba and East Pembroke can go back in service.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: Oakfield back in service.

A small grass fire is reported at 3500 Harloff Road in the area of Polar Wave. East Pembroke and Town of Batavia fire are responding.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: The caller was a passerby on the Thruway, who also stated that she saw a man standing on a hill next to the blaze. Now dispatch has called law enforcement to investigate a possible arson. East Pembroke firefighters at the scene are running out of water. Town Engine 24 just arrived. They want to squelch the fire before "it gets down into the buidlings."

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: A tanker from East Pembroke is also going to the scene.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Firefighters want to keep the fire from going over the hill into the brush. A firefighter says wind is a factor and also reports that "the landowner is giving us a hard time." After confirming that law enforcement is on scene, he says "have them come over and have a chat (with the perturbed landowner).

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: Fire is out. Assignment is back in service. Law enforcement is making a report about the possible arson.

City fire is on scene at 116 Harvester Ave. for the smell of smoke in the residence.

A commander reports smoke in the residence and firefighters are investigating.

UPDATE 7:34 a.m.: The smoke has been traced to a burned-out motor in the refrigerator.

UPDATE 7:48 a.m.: City fire back in service.

Heavy smoke is reportedly spewing from a third-floor apartment inside Washington 400 Towers on East Main Street. City firefighters are on scene after dispatch received information that multiple alarms were sounding in the building. Firefighters are "packing up and heading in."

UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: This was a stove fire. Commands reports it is out and they are ventilating.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: Now ventilating the fourth and fifth floors and will be remaining on scene for "quite awhile."

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: Ventilation was completed about 15 minutes ago. Command says one unit is picking up to leave and the other will be remaining to do some investigation.

City fire is responding to a reported stove fire at 511 Ellicott St., right-side apartment.

UPDATE 7:07 p.m.: No fire at this time, just a smoldering pot on the stove. Ventilating. Now Mercy medics are called for a person suffering from smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 7:26 p.m.: Fire command says that are still ventilating and will be there for some time. The source was deemed to be an electrical problem with the stove. Medics are evaluating the patient.

UPDATE 7:30 p.m.: The patient is being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: Firefighters killed power to the stove then removed it from the apartment. The assignment is back in service.

A grass fire is reported at 56 S. Lake Ave. in Bergen. The caller indicated it may be a controlled burn that got out of control. Bergen Fire Department is responding. The location is between Mackenzie Street and Parkview Drive. A responder on scene reports smoke coming from behind a residence.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m.: The fire is out. Bergen is back in service.