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House fire reported on South Street Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A structure fire is reported at 10828 S. Street Road, Pavilion.

Smoke is coming from the HVAC system.

Pavilion fire and Le Roy fire dispatched.

Law enforcement is also dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 8 a.m.: A chief on scene reports nothing showing. Le Roy's response is canceled.

UPDATE 8:12 a.m.: A chief is out with the homeowner. There is no fire. The initial caller reported possible criminal activity at the scene. So far, none of that is confirmed.

Possible fire reported on Gabbey Road, Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A possible chimney fire or furnace problem is reported at 1173 Gabbey Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and City of Batavia's FAST team is dispatched.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: The caller at the residence contacted a commander at City fire and informed the commander that sparks and/or flames could be seen coming out of the top of the chimney. A service provider had advised the caller that the company would check on the chimney tomorrow. The commander advised the caller to evacuate. The Indian Falls chief is asking City fire to continue nonemergency. The residence is being evacuated per the emergency dispatcher.

UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: Chief on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 10:47 p.m.: City fire can go back in service. No fire.

Fire reported in living room of residence on Richley Road in Darien

By Billie Owens

A third-party caller reports a living room fire in a residence at 1781 Richley Road in Darien. Darien Fire Department and Ambulance Service are responding, along with Mercy medics. The location is between Colby and Harper roads.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: An engine and manpower from Corfu are called to respond as mutual aid.

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: A chief on scene says units responding can continue in nonemergency mode as a precaution; a thermal-imaging camera will be deployed.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: The Darien and Corfu assignments are back in service.

Fully involved garage fire is reported on Main Road, Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A fully involved garage fire is reported at 590 Main Road, Pembroke.

The detached garage is about 50 feet from the residence and has multiple cars in it. 

The residence has been evacuated of people and pets.

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

UPDATE 5:38 a.m.: A second alarm requested. Alabama fire, Town of Batavia fire, Corfu fire, Darien fire, requested to the scene. Route 5 is being closed between the county line and just east of the Pembroke Fire Hall. 

UPDATE 5:47 a.m.: Firefighters have two lines on the garage and the fire is knocked down. The house was not involved though some vinyl melted. Alabama is being diverted from the fire to a fill in at Indian Falls Fire Hall.

UPDATE 5:53 a.m.: State Department of Transportation requested to standby. The road will need to be salted after the fire response is completed.

UPDATE 5:54 a.m.: The garage is all metal. "We're going to need to pull it apart to get it out," a chief reports. The house is fine and "all cooled down." Minimal damage to one vinyl window. 

UPDATE 5:58 a.m.: Town Highway is responding in about 45 minutes for the icy road. "Perfect timing," a chief responds.

UPDATE 6 a.m.: Alabama did have a tanker responding to the scene. It can go back in service. Darien fire can go back in service.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m.: Town of Batavia and City Fire Engine 11 can go back in service.

UPDATE 7:22 a.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

Shed fire reported on Byron Road in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A shed fire about 50 feet behind a residence is reported at 8050 Byron Road, Stafford. Unknown contents of the shed. The location is between the Thruway and School Road. Stafford fire is responding.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: A first responder confirms this is a working fire, 60 to 70 feet behind the residence. Responders are told to come in non-emergency mode. There is no water hyrdrant available.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: South Byron fire is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: Shed fire is out, command reports.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: South Byron is put back in service.

UPDATE 3:44 p.m.: Command requests an investigator to the scene.

UPDATE 3:47 p.m.: It is agreed a Sheriff's deputy should respond to the fire scene first "to see what we have" before bringing in an investigator.

Silo fire reported at farm on Chapell Road, Byron

By Howard B. Owens

A silo fire is reported at 5625 Chapell Road, Byron.

A farmworker will meet a chief roadside. It is a conformed silo fire, the dispatcher told a chief.

The location is just east of Transit Road.

Byron, South Byron fire departments dispatched. Town of Batavia's ladder truck along with an engine from Elba requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:39 a.m.: Batavia can stand down. The silo is about 15 feet in diameter and contains wood chips. The location is apparently a transfer station and not a farm. 

UPDATE 7:48 a.m.: Byron command is all set with the equipment on location.

UPDATE 8:44 a.m.: Assignment back in service.

Chimney fire reported on Harrold Square in the city

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 6 Harrold Square in the City of Batavia. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: A first responder says this is a one-story wood-frame house with embers coming out of the chimney.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: The occupants have exited the structure.

Leaf burning reported on Vine Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

City fire and Batavia PD are responding to a location in the first block of Vine Street for a report of a resident burning leaves.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Fire scene commander: "Recreational fire. We're not making him put it out."

Chimney fire reported on Cole Road

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire that is possibly extending into the house is reported at 6821 Cole Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Bergen, Byron and the city's FAST team.

Le Roy ambulance is also responding.

A first responder says the residence is evacuated and there's heavy smoke inside the residence. It's gone to a second alarm.

The location is between Sweetland Road and East Bethany Le Roy Road.

UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Engines from Stafford and Pavilion called to the scene. Town of Batavia is to fill in for Le Roy. The city's first platoon is called to city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: Caledonia is asked to stand by with Batavia at Le Roy's fire hall. Thermal cameras are deployed at the scene.

UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: City FAST team went back in service at least 15 minutes ago. And Caledonia was released from service as well.

UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Pavilion is put back in service.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: Stafford is back in service.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: Bergen is back in service.

Brush fire on Liberty Street under investigation

By Howard B. Owens

While it's too early to say that a series of brush fires next to buildings at 29 Liberty St. in the City of Batavia were deliberately set, said Chief Stefano Napolitano, the fires do deserve closer scrutiny.

City fire and Batavia PD are working together on an investigation.

The property is a long narrow band with a trailer on it -- like a long trailer used at construction sites -- and the fires were several yards apart on the property.

"With fires at multiple locations, it warrants an extremely closer look," Napolitano said.

The investigation will also try to determine if the Liberty Street fires are linked to a dumpster fire at School and Cedar streets earlier today.

Out at the scene this evening, Napolitano was overheard talking with a police officer about the unusual number of brush fires in the area for November. We asked him about it later.

There were fires today in Alabama, Oakfield, Pavilion and Darien.

"I can't speak for other chiefs but in my 35 years (in the fire service), I don't remember a November 20th with this kind of temperature and dry conditions," Napolitano said. "Maybe when I was younger, I didn't notice it, but now I can feel it in my bones."

He said its really not a good time for one last bonfire or to burn things.

He praised the response of his team. The firefighters protected nearby buildings from the fire and got it out quickly.

Previously: Brush fire reported on Liberty Street in the city

Video by Rick Hale.

Brush fire reported on Liberty Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported next to a "primary care" building at 29 Liberty St. The location is between School and Ellicott streets. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:42 p.m.: The fire was next to an abandoned trailer. Fire is out; doing overhaul.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: City Fire is back in service.

Photo by Rick Hale.

Video by Rick Hale.

Large, fast-spreading field fire near a house reported in Darien

By Billie Owens

A large field that is spreading fast, according to a deputy on the scene, is reported at 644 Reynolds Road. It's next to a house.

Darien Fire Department is responding and mutual aid from Corfu is requested.

The first field is at the corner of Reynolds and Fargo roads.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: Command reports the fire is about two acres in size.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: UTVs are requested from East Pembroke and Alexander fire departments.

UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: The UTVs were not needed and put back in service. The fire is out.

UPDATE 3:22: Fire responders back in service.

Corn stalk fire reported in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

Cornstalks in a field are reportedly on fire behind 39 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield.

Oakfield fire, which had been assisting with the incident in Alabama, is responding to the field fire.

Mutual aid from Elba requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m. The fire is being driven by the wind toward South Pearl. Responders are looking for best access point. One responder "we can get this."

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: Elba can go back in service.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Elba requested back to the scene emergency mode. There's a flare-up behind a house. "It's getting out of control on us." 

UPDATE 11:13 a.m.: A brush truck from Town of Batavia requested to the scene. Also, a local farmer is requested to the scene. "We may have to destroy some of his corn."

UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: "A lot of the fire is knocked down in the field."

Fire reported on Knowlesville Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A fire is reported at 6442 Knowlesville Road, Alabama.

A second alarm was requested then canceled.  

Knowlesville Road is closed to through traffic.

Alabama Fire is on scene.

UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Fire under control; overhaul in progress.

City fire chief urges residents to be prepared for weather emergencies that can strike without warning

By Press Release

From City of Batavia Fire Department:

Weather emergencies can strike often times without warning and inhibiting our ability to secure basic necessities. Rescue and response agencies will be responding but may not be able to assist immediately depending upon the severity of the event.

As a result, the City of Batavia along with the Department of Public Works, Fire and Police departments would like to remind all City residents to take the necessary precautions and preparedness steps to be ready in the event of an emergency situation.

In the event that there is a loss of power, practice energy conservation to help the power company avoid rolling blackouts.

  • Keep your car’s fuel tank at least half full as gas stations use electricity to operate the fuel pumps.
  • Ensure that you know how to manually release your electric garage door opener.
  • Always use a surge protector to protect your computer and other electronic devices from an energy surge.
  • Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer doors as food will remain fresh for up to several hours after the power goes off.
  • Lastly, if the power outage is expected to last for several days or more, consider relocating to a shelter or a friend or family member’s home if possible.

In the event that you plan to use a portable generator, be sure that you operate it outside only. Do not operate the generator within the home or garage and do not hook it up directly to your home’s wiring. Instead, connect the equipment and appliances that you wish to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

We also recommend that you have the following items available: Fully charge cell phone with a spare power block, battery-powered radio, flashlight with spare batteries, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, blankets and sleeping bags, personal toiletry and first-aid kits.

Lastly, having a family emergency plan along with an emergency supply kit will assist you in managing many different types of weather-based emergencies.

Additional information on specific types of emergencies can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Red Cross websites as well as on their apps for smart phones.

As always, you can contact the City of Batavia Fire Headquarters for any questions that you may have at (585) 345-6375.

Cornfield fire reported off Creek Road in Bethany

By Billie Owens

A cornfield fire is reported in Bethany at 9561 Creek Road. The location is between Putnam Road and Old Creek Road.

"It's pretty heavy fire," says Bethany Fire Department command.

Alexander fire's UTV is called to the scene along with a tanker. A brush truck and "a lot of hose" will be needed.

Command: "What we've got is a 75-acre swamp -- right now it's burning toward the swamp and headed into the woods. "It's hard to get through ... at the moment."

Elba's brush truck is also en route.

The chief also asks for a brush truck out of Wyoming and a gator out of Le Roy.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Attica Fire Department is asked to stand by.

UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: Town of Batavia's brush truck is called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: Command reports an area near the fire is covered with about two feet of water. "If we can knock the edges down we'll be OK." 

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Command reports south end of blaze is mostly out; working on hot spots. "The only flames I'm seeing are in the middle." Smoke is rising on the northeastern portion, but it remains difficult to access.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Attica is put back in service; the brush trucks are released from the scene. Bethany and a gator will remain there. A drone was deployed and was helpful but its battery died and a fresh one is being retrieved so they can use the drone again.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.: Command says they are still putting water on the embers about 1,200 feet from the roadway. The drone is powered up and is being put back in action. Elba is called back to the scene.

Three cats, dog perish in house fire on State Street

By Howard B. Owens
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A fire gutted a home at 162 State St., Batavia, this morning, claiming the lives of three cats and a dog.

The residents were not home at the time of the fire, which was reported by multiple callers to emergency dispatch at about 8 a.m. The residents arrived on scene shortly before 11 a.m., Chief Stefano Napolitano said.

An off-duty firefighter, according to the chief, was passing by the residence and spotted the flames. He stopped and was informed a person might still be inside the residence, so he attempted to gain entry to the house and was beaten back by flame and smoke.

Firefighters arrived on scene and quickly knocked down the flames, which had already consumed much of the interior of the house, and made a first and secondary search of the residence and found no people inside.

No firefighters were injured.

The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation.

Structure fire on State Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A working structure fire is reported at 162 State St. in the city; unknown if occupied. City fire dispatched.

UPDATE 8:08 a.m.: It's gone to a second alarm. Alexander Fire Department's FAST team is called to provide mutual aid, along with Elba. Town of Batavia is called to stand by in their stations. Mercy medics are dispatched to the scene. The location is between North Street and Park Avenue.

UPDATE 8:23 a.m.: Town of Batavia's Engine #24 is called to the scene. Responders are told to approach via Richmond Avenue.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: Alexander is unable to secure manpower for its FAST Team; instead they are asked to bring the team assembled to stand by in city fire headquarters. Alexander's Engine #7 is en route. In the meantime, Town of Batavia's Engine #25 is asked to stand by in city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 8:29 a.m.: East Pembroke Fire Department is called to stand by in their quarters for Town of Batavia fire.

UPDATE 8:34 a.m.: Command reports fire is under control. Command asked that the city's Department of Public Works be instructed to shut off water at the road at the fire scene. National Grid is to be notified to turn power off.

UPDATE 8:39 a.m.: Alexander's Engine #7 is at city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: No one was home when the fire broke out and firefighters have had no contact yet with residents and/or property owners. A cat was brought out alive but it's condition is not known at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

UPDATE 9:16 a.m.: Mutual aid companies are put back in service. Mercy medics left awhile ago. 

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