fire

A water flow alarm has sounded at Bed Bath & Beyond on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia. In addition, the smoke detector and "fire pump alarm" are also reported to be going off. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. Yesterday a blaze tore through the store's bedding department.

Within minutes of the fire call about a blaze in the bedding department of Bed, Bath & Beyond, in Batavia Towne Center, the store was filled with heavy black smoke that was roiling out of the front and back doors.

The visibility was low, making it difficult for the first firefighters on scene to get to the fire location.

"There was heavy smoke, but once the crew got in there they confirmed a working fire," said Town of Batavia Fire's 1st Assistant Chief Dan Coffey.

Much of the bedding department was destroyed by fire. The rest of the store's inventory and fixtures suffered heavy smoke and water damage.

The store's sprinkler system did activate, which Coffey said helped suppress the fire, but it took firefighters to actually knock down the flames. The rest of the next couple of hours on scene was spent clearing out smoke from Bed, Bath & Beyond and Petco.

"We got a quick knock down and then we were trying to clear smoke and improve the visibility of what we were doing," Coffey said.

There were employees -- Coffey didn't know how many -- who were evaluated for possible smoke inhalation.

Both stores remain closed.

"The fire investigation has already started and there's significant fire, smoke and water damage in there, so I imagine it's going to be some time (before Bed, Bath & Beyond reopens)," Coffey said.

Coffey described the bedding fire as pretty hot, with the material able to pack a heavy fire load.

"If you've been in there, you've seen, the bedding is stacked from floor to ceiling on those storage racks, so there's a tremendous amount of heat," Coffey said. "It's certainly a concern for us."

Adding to the fire-fighting difficulties was the icy weather. The air was biting and the fire hydrants frozen shut.

Three tankers from neighboring departments were requested to the scene, something that wouldn't have been necessary, Coffey said, if the hydrants hadn't frozen.

Assisting Town of Batavia at the scene were City of Batavia, Alexander, Elba, Oakfield, East Pembroke and Darien.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigators are conducting interviews, examining the physical evidence and it's possible store surveillance tapes may provide a clue to the cause.

"It's way to early," Coffey said soon after the smoke had cleared. "We're trying to talk to employees who were in the area at the time and try to determine the cause."

UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: Investigators have been on scene through the evening and into the night. There is no definitive cause, officials say. The Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.

(Initial Report)

The front door soon after the fire was pronounced knocked down with the store still filled with heavy black smoke. Normally, you would be able to see into the store from this angle. Pictured, East Pemborke's Stephen Smelski.

Heavy smoke at the back of the building.

A frozen fire hydrant.

A Town of Batavia volunteer, Mike Jones, prepares Ladder 25 for extension of the platform.

Firefighter Scott Maloy shortly after exiting the building.

A firefighter tries to get one of the frozen hydrants going.

Firefighters at the back of the building.

Smoke being cleared from the storage room.

A firefighter on the roof of Bed, Bath & Beyond. Pictured, Jason Holman.

Firefighter Andrew Mullen waiting by the back door for other crew members who will head back in to make further checks on the fire scene, with most of the smoke cleared from the store.

East Pembroke's engine in front of the store as crews begin to roll up hose.

A fire is reported in the bedding department of Bed, Bath & Beyond, on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

It's the second call in Town of Batavia's district. Batavia and East Pembroke responding.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: The fire was reported out about 10 minutes ago, but there's still heavy smoke showing from the building. The fire hydrants are frozen so tankers have been requested from Batavia, Oakfield and Alexander and possibily other departments. City fire is one scene.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: The store has been ventilated. The town's assignment is back in service. Code enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE: 10:55 p.m.: Town of Batavia is still on scene and the fire investigation is ongoing.

UPDATE 3:31 p.m. to clarify family information.

A family of three has been displaced and is being helped by the Red Cross after a structure fire early Sunday morning heavily damaged their kitchen and another room at 33 Central Ave., Batavia.

The fire started, said City Fire Chief Jim Maxwell, after a resident left cooking oil unattended while it heated. She intended to make chicken wings.

The fire was reported at 12:42 a.m.

The biggest concern, Maxwell said, was that the resident said her daughter may have been trapped in an upstairs bedroom.

Firefighters conducted two searches of the residence and were unable to locate the 16-year-old.

It turned out she was not home and was located and found safe a short time later.

All Batavia platoons were dispatched to the fire, with a total of 20 firefighters responding. No mutual aid from neighboring departments was requested. The fire department was back in service at 3:30 a.m.

The fire did extensive damage to the kitchen and an adjoining room. The structural damage was significant enough to require a code enforcement officer to condemn the house.

The fire caused $20,000 in damage.

Brycea Bolster and her family have been relocated to a local hotel for three days.

They also had three cats and a dog. The pets are all safe.

The property owner is Deborah Ruhland.

A possible structure fire is reported at 4535 W. Saile Drive, a barn behind Michelle's Bakery.

Smoke is seen coming from the structure.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

UPDATE 7:28 a.m.: A chief on scene reports the fire may have burned itself out. Responding units can come in non-emergency.

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: It turns out to be a vehicle fire. The vehicle has been removed from the building. The structure is not involved.

UPDATE 7:37 a.m.: Fire is knocked down. Assignment being held to Engine 24.

UPDATE 8:14 a.m.: Town of Batavia back in service. Fire contained to vehicle. Smoke damage to the building.

A house fire is reported at 2884 E. Shelby Road, between Burns and Crane roads. Fire is "in the wall with flames seen." Oakfield Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Alabama, Town of Batavia and Elba.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Upon arriving, the fire chief reports no fire seen.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The chief is holding everything to equipment already in route. Cancelling Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Alabama and Elba units returning, in service.

A house fire is reported at 9284 Robbins Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with a Le Roy ambulance and a ladder truck from Bergen.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.:  A responder reports it's a kitchen stove fire.

UPDATE 8:18 p.m. (by Howard): A chief requests a thermal camera. "It may have gotten up into the ceiling," he says. The City of Batavia's Fast Team is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m. (by Howard): Pavilion responding. Stafford requested to Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 8:24 p.m.: Interior firefighter reports the fire is knocked down. Checking for extensions.

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A working structure fire is reported at 4054 W. Main Steet Road, the Sunset Motel, Room #12. All available manpower is requested out of the Town of Batavia Fire Department. The motel has been evacuated.

UPDATE 2:53 a.m.: A crew from Oakfield is requested to fill in at Batavia's Station #1.

UPDATE 3:02 a.m.: "We've got to get ahold of this room," says a firefighter as the crews work to contain the fire to Room 12. "...We've got to vent this roof. I don't know how far it's got across these eaves." Smoke is showing from the north gable end.

UPDATE 3:07 a.m.: An engine and manpower from East Pembroke is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:12 a.m.: There's no evidence of eastward extension of the blaze. They've vented the roof.

UPDATE 3:14 a.m.: National Grid is called in.

UPDATE 3:21 a.m.: Town code enforcement officer Dan Lang is called in, along with the American Red Cross to assist the motel dwellers. "The (motel) owner has no idea where the electrical shut off is," says a firefighter. No ETA for National Grid. A second ambulance is requested, a male with difficulty breathing will likely need to be transported to a hospital.

UPDATE 3:23 a.m.: Command reports fire is out. "Code enforcement Gerald is responding."

UPDATE 3:27 a.m.: They broke a lock to access the electrical circuit panel, which is located at the rear of the motel's west end. There is still smoke in the crawl space.

UPDATE 3:28 a.m.: The smoke in the crawl space is getting heavier. A thermal camera will be used to try and locate its source.

UPDATE 3:44 a.m. (by Howard): The building will need to be vacated for the night. Lodging is needed for the residents of at least four rooms.

UPDATE 4:12 a.m. (by Howard): Some units being put back in service.

UPDATE 4:43 a.m.: Town of Batavia is back in service. Firefighters contained the fire to a single room. Two tenants need to be relocated.

A chimney fire is reported at 7231 Lyman Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire is responding with mutual from Le Roy.

The first chief on scene reports smoke coming from the structure.

At the same time as this call, Le Roy has a call in the village for medical assistance. Pavilion is being dispatched mutual aid.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.

UPDATE 7:14 p.m.: Bergen is back in service.

A fire is reported at Oak Orchard Road and West Saile Drive.

A person reportedly ran into a business and said there was a fire and a person from the business called 9-1-1.

Town of Batavia fire responding.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: A chief on scene reports it's a controlled burn at Offhaus Farm. Batavia back in service.

A possible chimney fire is reported at 6842 Fisher Road, Oakfield. Flames were seen shooting from the chimney, but no flames or smoke are showing now, says a firefighter. The residence has been evacuated. Oakfield fire is on scene. Mutual aid response was cancelled but units are asked to stand by in their quarters from Alabama, Elba and East Pembroke.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: Oakfield fire back in service.

A possible electrical fire is reported at 4346 Drake Street Road, the lower apartment, Elba.

Smoke is coming from the washer or the dryer.

Elba and Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: Fire is out. Town of Batavia can go back in service, per Elba chief.

UPDATE 8:53 a.m.: Elba back in service.

Town of Batavia volunteer firefighters are back in service after responding to College Village when a fire alarm sounded in the laundry room.

Crew members:

"They left the window open again?"

"Yep."

"They just don't get it."

In addition to heating soup and zapping microwave popcorn, laundromats are posing yet another challenge for some villagers.

A garage fire is reported on Bogue Avenue, Batavia.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 1:24 a.m.: Engine 11 on scene reporting the fire may be out.

The call started as a report of a house filling with smoke, yet no fire seen, at 3065 Pearl Street Road, but when an East Pembroke chief arrived, he reported flames on the side of the house from an electrical wire.

Firefighters from East Pembroke, Town of Batavia and Corfu are all dispatched.

National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: Alabama requested to fill in at East Pembroke.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: Firefighters are starting ventilation of the house and checking for extensions. National Grid has a 35-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:01 a.m.: No extensions located. The fire is out.

UPDATE 12:26 a.m.: Town of Batavia code enforcement officer responding to the scene.

UPDATE 1:31 a.m.: East Pembroke and all responding agencies back in service.

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The cab of a truck hauling onions on Old Oak Orchard Road is reportedly on fire and stopped just south of Ridge Road, Elba.

Elba fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:08 p.m.: A chief is on scene. The fire is out.

Light smoke is reportedly coming from the basement of a home at 11 Kingsbury Ave. in the city. Batavia Fire Department is has arrived on scene and reports nothing showing from the outside, investigating.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: The source of the smoke is found to be a cigarette burning inside a plastic container in the basement. It is extinguished. Ladder 15 is told to continue to the scene, non-emergency mode.

A car fire is reported at 14 S. Main St., Batavia.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: City fire on scene. Fire appears to be out.

A kitchen fire is reported at the Flying J Travel Center on Route 77 in Pembroke. Nothing is showing, according to a responder, but the restaurant is being evacuated. He also says there are no flames and that the fire is probably electrical in nature and is in the ceiling.

Pembroke, Indian Falls and Alabama fire departments responding, along with a ladder truck from Akron.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: They are going to open up the ceiling tiles. The gas and electricity are shut off. A light tower will be put up so firefighters can see the roof. A rep from National Grid is requested. A thermal imaging camera is requested.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Fire is out. Checking for extensions.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: "The roof is cleared." The public health department will be notified of the incident as required. A crew from Newstead is asked to stand by in Pembroke Fire Hall.

UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Town of Pembroke Code Enforcement will be notified of the incident as required.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m. (by Howard): The Alabama assignment is back in service, but the restaurant remains close pending code enforcement clearance.

A house fire with light smoke showing is reported at 32 S. Main St. in Oakfield. Mercy medics are on scene and Oakfield Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia and the city's Fast Team. Alabama is asked to fill in at the Oakfield hall.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: Alabama is asked to reroute and go to the scene.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: National Grid is called to the scene. No ETA.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: A thermal imaging camera is requested.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: Elba Fire Police are called to shut down traffic at Orchard and Main, and at Main and South Pearl. The fire is knocked down. They are checking for extensions.