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Smell of smoke coming from multi-family structure on Vine Street

By Billie Owens

The odor of smoke is coming from a four-apartment structure at 25 Vine St. in the city.

City fire department is on scene. A firefighter says nothing is showing, but they are investigating.

One woman has been evacuated. She said she was not sure if anyone else was at home in the other three apartments.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: After investigating the building, nothing was found amiss and units are returned to service.

Genesee county companies responding to fire in Attica

By Howard B. Owens

Fire departments from Genesee County are being dispatched to the Village of Attica for a structure fire at 209 Exchange Street.

The building is a commercial structure.

Alexander, Darien, Bethany and Town of Batavia are either being dispatched to the scene or being called in for back up of dispatched departments.

Possible chimney fire reported on Main Road in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A neighbor has reported a possible chimney fire at 1764 Main Road, Corfu.

The caller stated there was heavy black smoke coming from the chimney.

A chief on scene says the smoke has "calmed down" and nobody appears to be home.

East Pembroke fire and one tanker from Corfu are called in along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Corfu engine told to stand by at its hall.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Firefighters need to make entry into the house. The house is clear, but the wood stove is in the basement and they can't see into the basement.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Homeowner reached by mobile phone. He said the smoke is normal for the stove. He had just stoked it up before he left. East Pembroke Fire back in service.


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Two-story house fire on Route 20 in Alexander

By Billie Owens

A two-story house fire is reported in Alexander at 3971 Broadway Road -- Route 20.

The location is between Brown's Mill and Telephone roads.

Alexander Fire Department is responding, along with a ladder truck and tanker from the Town of Batavia.

East Pembroke and Darien will also be helping or on standby. Other mutual aid companies are en route or at the ready also, including Bethany, Stafford, Pavilion and Attica.

It has gone to a second alarm. The initial call reported a barn fire.

Responders are asking for the Sheriff's Department to shut down part of Route 20 to traffic.

UPDATE 6:56 p.m.: Responders say they need lights and tools to open the structure up for ventilation. A pond across the road may be one source of water to fight the fire.

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: Dispatch says traffic is snarled at the "cloverleaf" in Alexander -- the junction of routes 98 and 20 -- and there's not yet traffic police to re-route vehicles.

UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: The City of Batavia's Fast Team is called in. A firefighter is heard to say "Holy S%#@!" followed by something about a propane tank being located at the rear of the building.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: A firefighter says the propane tank "has been secured." The fourth platoon from the City of Batavia is called to city fire headquarters to stand in.

UPDATE 7:41 p.m.: It seems like sort of a scramble at this point to get enough water. A crew is trying to "get a draft" out of a hydrant on West Bethany Road, with apparently little success thus far.

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: Fire police are requested at Tapp Road to handle the overflow of traffic from the main thoroughfares. "It's just me, myself and Jill," comes the response, "Tractor-trailer traffic is backed up all the way to my house." The reply: "We'll make do." Also, a tanker from York has been asked to fill in at Pavilion.

UPDATE 8:12 p.m.: Reportedly there are two law enforcement officers west of Route 20 handling traffic control and dispatch notified them that in the next 20 to 30 minutes, personnel from the American Red Cross will be coming through. That usually means people have been displaced from their home and need emergency assistance. Also, an engine from East Pembroke has been called to fill in at the Alexander Fire Hall.

UPDATE 8:21 p.m.: Good progress is being made on the second floor of the structure, says a firefighter. The traffic on the outlying roadways is another matter. It was suggested that traffic be diverted to Brookville Road. But a traffic officer says backed-up semis have been pulling out into the roadway -- wherever it is that they are stuck -- and the others are "getting antsy." Plus, icy roads could especially pose a problem for the heavy-laden truckers. "I say have 'em wait. Do what you have to do," says the man in charge. A bit later, the supervisor says "if they don't want to go, tell them to put their flashers on and go to the next (truck). Make it quick though." Now Darien is asked to standby in Alexander and it is suggested that maybe they should give Alden Fire Department a call, too.

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: The fire has spread to the attic. The crew from Alden is en route to standby at the Alexander hall.

UPDATE 8:46 p.m.: A big-rig driver asks if he can go down Route 354, down into Wyoming County. The officer checks with his superior who says "It's too slick. No way."

UPDATE 9:32 p.m.: They say they are just mopping up and doing overhaul at this point. So clearing out traffic from around the scene is probably the biggest task at hand. Hey, now there's some pizza and coffee for the hard-working crews.

Alabama man's body found in car following fire

By Howard B. Owens

After extinguishing a car fire at 1364 Church St., Alabama, last night, volunteer firefighters made a sad discovery -- the body of the 60-year-old man who lived at that address was found in the car.

Sheriff's officials believe the car of Harry C. Kramer IV, became stuck in the snow as he was trying to pull out of his driveway. Kramer apparently suffered some sort of medical event that left him with his foot stuck on the accelerator. The engine then apparently overheated, starting the fire.

The car fire was called in at 9:55 p.m. and Alabama Fire was dispatched.

Kramer's body was found by firefighters in the driver's seat of the vehicle after the fire was put out.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating Kramer's exact cause of death. Coroner Jack Taylor pronounced Kramer dead at the scene.

Smoldering oven mitts thrown on back porch likely cause of East Pembroke fire

By Howard B. Owens

A pair of smoldering ovens mitts are the likely cause of a late morning fire in East Pembroke that has put an Angling Road couple out of their home.

The fire destroyed the back portion of the home at 2583 Angling Road, and it sustained heavy smoke and water damage throughout.

Daniel and Sarah Norway escaped the home safely with assistance from Deputy Brian Thompson. A dog was taken out of the house with Sarah and a cat was rescued by firefighters. Two other family cats perished in the fire.

The fire was reported at 12:10 p.m. Sarah reported smelling smoke, looked out the back door and saw flames. She woke up Daniel. He immediately went outside and found the back stairs gone and flames climbing up the walls.

Thompson arrived on scene to find Daniel trying to put out the fire and Sarah was still inside with the dog. Thompson got them out of the house. The deputy's report says "snow was thrown on the fire" while awaiting the arrival of firefighters, without saying who threw the snow on the fire.

According to Thompson's report, Sarah said she had thrown a pair of smoldering oven mitts out the back door around 11 a.m.

East Pembroke Fire responded to the scene and assisting at the scene or in fill-in roles were Town of Batavia, Pembroke, Corfu, Darien, Indian Falls and Oakfield along with Genesee County Emergency Services. An Animal Control officer also responded and took an orange tabby to the Batavia Animal Hospital.

The fire was first called in by neighbor Raymond Russell of Read Road.

The house is assessed at $71,300 and was insured.

(Initial Report)

House on fire on Angling Road

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 2583 Angling Road. It's between Read Road and Church Street. There is black smoke billowing from the corner of the house.

A firefighter on scene says there is heavy smoke coming from the rear of the residence.

Another says "Occupants and dog are out. It is involved."

East Pembroke and Town of Batavia fire departments are responding. An engine from Corfu is also requested.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: This East Pembroke fire has gone to a second alarm. Mercy medics are on scene. Corfu has called for an engine from Darien to stand in at Corfu's hall. A tanker from Indian Falls is requested. "It's starting to go fast -- everybody be careful because of the ice." But a bit later "The floor is gone. All interior firefighters are ordered out of the structure."

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: Town of Batavia calls for an engine from Corfu to fill in at its station. Some units on scene are working to try and protect the garage.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Oakfield is called to fill in at Town of Batavia's fire hall. Despite the prior directive, and the collapse of the floor, firefighters are now on the second floor of the house working to put out the fire. National Grid is notified, no ETA given. A chief asks "Do we have a crew for the roof?"

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The chief says "The fire's out. We're just trying to clean up in here. There aren't any hot spots." Also, a badly injured cat was found at the scene (presumably it has suffered burns). It is not known whose cat it is, if anyone's. It has been placed inside the garage and people from the animal shelter are on their way to get it and treat it. According to Sheriff's Deputy Brian Thompson, the fire started outside in a stairwell from unknown causes. A man and woman were asleep in their bedroom when the woman awoke and smelled something burning. By then, the fire had starting climbing the walls of the residence.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The rescued cat did not apparently suffer from burns. Rather it experienced severe smoke inhalation and was heavily doused with water. It is one of three of the family's cats and is being taken to Batavia Animal Hospital on West Main Street Road. The other two cats remain unaccounted for.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m. (by Howard): Red Cross requested to the scene. Also, photo above of the red tabby that was rescued from the house. It was covered in water that had frozen and probably suffered from smoke inhalation, but was crying loudly as it was being carried here. The firefighter is taking the cat to a garage where it might be warmer. An Animal Control officer picked up the cat a short time later and took it to Batavia Animal Hospital.


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Heater blamed for fire that destroyed garage in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

An estimated $25,000 in damages was done to a garage in Darien on Tuesday when an unattended torpedo heater apparently ignited a blaze.

The heater was being used to warm up some machinery, according to a report by Deputy Dana Richardson.

The fire occurred at 1210 Herkimer Road, Darien, and was called in by homeowner Lawrence Stabell at 9:51 a.m.

No injuries were reported in the blaze. The garage, which was destroyed, was not attached to the house.

Darien Fire responded with mutual aid from Alexander and Bennington fire departments.

(initial report)

Garage fire reported on Herkimer Road, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

A garage fire has been reported at 1210 Herkimer Road, Darien.

Darien Fire with mutual aid from Alexander Fire responding.

A chief on scene reports the garage is fully involved.

The garage is not attached to any other structure.

UPDATE 10:23 p.m.: Fire knocked down.


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Truck reportedly on fire on Tonawanda reservation

By Howard B. Owens

A truck fire has been reported in the area of 271 Council House Road, Basom.

Alabama Fire is responding.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: An Akron firefighter on scene reports the truck is fully involved. He also says the correct address is 7003 Council House Road. An Alabama chief arriving on scene confirms the address.

UPDATE 5:02 p.m.: Alabama chief says units can respond non-emergency. The truck isn't near a building.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: All Alabama units are clear.


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Barn built in 1880s on fire in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A barn built in the 1880s is reportedly on fire at 8283 North Road in the Town of Le Roy.

It is believed to have started by an electrical wire.

Le Roy Fire Department is called, along with mutual aid from Bergen and two tankers from Caledonia.

UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Now they say fire is out. Calls for mutual aid to Caledonia and Mumford have been cancelled. "Everything's under control," says a chief.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: A Bergen ladder truck is asked to continue in nonemergency mode, but its tanker is told to return to quarters. National Grid has been notified but no estimated arrival time given. North Road was to be shut down by fire police, not sure if that's still the case. They are going to look at the structure with a thermal imaging camera.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: There are no electrical wires hanging anywhere as far as anyone can tell. The thermal imaging camera shows no hot spots.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Le Roy and Bergen are returning to quarters.

Electrical fire reported in the wall of a house in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

An electrical fire has been reported at 1806 Indian Falls Road, Corfu.

The fire is reportedly in the wall of the residence.

Indian Falls and East Pembroke Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: When the East Pembroke chief responded, he had Indian Falls standby in quarters. He requested from his own crew a thermal camera. He just released Indian Falls back in service.


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Transformer blows near Clay and Myrtle, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

"A squirrel did it," according to a fire chief on scene at Clay and Myrtle in Le Roy.

A caller reported a loud noise and suspected a transformer blew.

There was no sparking, however, though one caller reported a brief power outage.

Le Roy Fire responded and investigated.

No lines down. No fire.

All units back in service.

House fire reportedly put out right after the call is made

By Billie Owens

A house fire was reported at 9503 Clipnock Road in Stafford. All equipment and manpower were called from Bethany and Stafford fire departments.

But as soon as the calls went out, residents called to say the fire is out.

It was in the upper apartment of the house and started by a stove fire.

Bethany is continuing its response non-emergency. Stafford is standing down.


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Brush fire reported on West Bergen Road

By Billie Owens

An "unattended brush fire" is reported off West Bergen Road, south of Dublin Road, in Bergen.

The Bergen Fire Department is responding.

Oakfield man dies in late night fire

By Howard B. Owens

A 48-year-old Oakfield resident died overnight as a result of a fire at 7154 Pine St., Oakfield.

Jeffery D. Repass, a resident at the address, was pronounced dead at the scene following the 12:39 a.m. blaze, which started in a bedroom.

Four other occupants escaped safely.

The house was heavily damaged and the cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Oakfield Fire Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and Genesee County Emergency Management.

Assisting at the scene were the Elba Fire Department, Alabama Fire Department, East Pembroke Fire Department, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Coroner's Office.

(Initial Report)

Structure fire on Pine Street in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A structure fire, believed to have begun in a bedroom, is reported at 7154 Pine St. in Oakfield. It's off of Maple Avenue, the last street coming out of the village.

Oakfield, Alabama and Elba fire units are called to respond.

UPDATE 12:56 a.m.: Firefighters are working on extricating people from the building.

UPDATE 12:58 a.m.: An investigator requested to the scene. At least one person is out of the building and requires medical attention.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: National Grid notified. No ETA.

UPDATE 1:24 a.m.: Fire's been knocked out.

UPDATE: Further updates on this fire will be available in the morning.

 


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Smell of electrical fire reported in house in Elba

By Billie Owens

The smell of a possible electrical fire is reported at a house located at 30 Chapel St. in Elba.

Elba Fire Department is called to respond.

UPDATE (7 p.m.): Firemen on scene say nothing was found. Elba fire is back in service.


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Stove fire reported at home on Drake Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A stove fire is being reported at 4325 Drake St. Road, Elba.

Elba and Town of Batavia fire departments are  being dispatched.

UPDATE 12:18 a.m.: Smoke in the residence. Fire was in a self-cleaning oven and it appears to be out. Town of Batavia Engine 24 returning to the station.


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