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Futon fire reported on Tracy Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

A futon caught on fire this morning at 29 Tracy Ave., but the apartment was not damaged.

The initial alarm came in around 10 a.m. and city firefighters responded.

Firefighters found the futon outside the apartment, where the resident had dragged it.

According to Lt. Jay Steinbrenner, the resident was apparently smoking on the futon when he fell asleep. When he woke up, he tried putting the fire out himself. He apparently tried a few times, according ot Steinbrenner.

"This apparently went on for an hour and a half," Steinbrenner said.

When the futon flamed up pretty good, the resident dragged it outside and called 9-1-1.

Chimney fire reported on Colby Road, Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A chimney fire has been reported at 9565 Colby Road, Corfu.

Darien Fire Department along with a tanker from Alexander and Corfu fire have been dispatched.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: Power has been shut off to the residence. Pembroke fire requested to fill in at Corfu's hall.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: Fire appears contained to the chimney.


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Grease fire erupts on Tracy Avenue in city

By Billie Owens

A grease fire was reported about 10 minutes ago at a residence on Tracy Avenue (in the area of 15 or 16). It was called in by a neighbor.

The first started in the upper apartment kitchen, at the rear of the building. Electrical power is arcing at the back of the stove and National Grid is called. The power is now shut off in the basement but lights are still on on the second floor.

The fire is knocked out by City of Batavia Fire Department and the building is being ventilated. An off-duty crew is called to standby in the fire station.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: A fire chief says "no school transportation is acceptable" along that portion of Tracy Avenue. National Grid is expected on scene at any moment now.

Car fire reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A car fire has been reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 387 in the westbound lane.

Town of Batavia Fire being dispatched.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m.: There's been only one call reporting the fire. Mile maker 387 is about 2/10ths of a mile east of the Byron Road underpass.

UPDATE 7:31 p.m.: A chief on scene reports no flames showing. Engine 21 is returning to quarters.

UPDATE 7:32 p.m.: Engines 23 and 24 arriving on scene. The fire appears to be out.

UPDATE 7:38 p.m.: Mechanical problems. Town of Batavia Fire back in service. The actual mile marker was 387.9.

Car fire in Byron

By Billie Owens

A car is reportedly on fire at 6744 Mud City Road in Byron. It was inside a detached garage, but was moved outside, apparently before igniting the building.

Fire crews from Byron, South Byron are called in. Town of Batavia's Fast Team was cancelled.

The location is between Mill Pond and Cole roads.

Fire at auto parts yard in Bergen probably deliberately set

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators believe that a fire in Bergen on Monday night was deliberately set. Nobody was injured in the fire.

The fire, reported at 9:10 p.m., destroyed an old trailer and two cars used for parts at Bergen Auto Recycling, 7652 Clinton St. Road.

Deputy Chief Jerry Brewster said investigators don't have much to go on.

"The owner of the yard has no idea of why anyone would do this," Brewster said. "There was scant evidence...a set of snow-covered footprints approaching the RV and then leaving."

Brewster said Jim Bouton of Genesee County Emergency Services determined the fire was likely deliberately set.

Brewster said he was told the trailer was worthless.

"I presume that some type of accelerant was probably used," Brewster said.

Fire departments from Bergen, South Byron and Churchville responded to the scene.

Fire reported in yard of Bergen Auto Recycling

By Howard B. Owens

A large fire has been reported in the yard of Bergen Auto Recycling, 7652 Clinton St. Road, Bergen.

A Bergen chief is at the gate and says he can see a fire among either a couple of cars or a box truck.

The owner is apparently not around and the gate is locked. Fire dispatch has contacted the owner.

An employee on scene says it's a trailer containing (empty) plastic gas tanks.

Bergen units are en route.

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: A handful of trailers are on fire, but no extension beyond those vehicles, a chief reports. Churchville Fire Department requested to stand in at Bergen Fire Hall.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: A South Byron tanker requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A Churchville tanker is also requested to the scene.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: Some time ago, law enforcement was requested to the scene. The deputy who responded has requested an investigator to the scene.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: South Byron being released from the scene. Chruchville remains standing by in Bergen quarters.\

UPDATE 11:46 p.m.: Bergen back in service.


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Brake fire reported on Thruway, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A brake fire on an unknown type of vehicle has been reported by the Thruway Authority on the I-90 at mile marker 375.1.

That puts it just at the county line.

Le Roy Fire is responding.

Wires, tree on fire on Route 63, south of York Road

By Billie Owens

Three or four electrical wires, still connected to the pole, are on fire on the north side of Route 63, just south of York Road. A nearby tree is also on fire. (The location is reportedly near an old house than burned down a long time ago.)

Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: National Grid has been notified. No arrival time estimate given.

Wires, tree on fire on Route 63, south of York Road

By Billie Owens

Three or four electrical wires, still connected to the pole, are on fire on the north side of Route 63, just south of York Road. A nearby tree is also on fire. (The location is by an old house there than burned down a long time ago.)

Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

Barn fire reported on Randall Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

 

A barn is reportedly fully engulfed in flames at 6476 Randall Road, Stafford.

The structure is about 50 feet from a house.

Stafford fire along with several other companies responding.

UPDATE 3:31 a.m.: It was more of a small outer structure than a barn. Stafford Fire responded quickly and had the fire knocked down shortly after arriving on scene. The Sheriff's Office will likely release more details in a few hours.

UPDATE: The homeowner is Douglas Frew. He believes a wood stove, which he last stoked at 9:30 p.m., caused the fire. The fire completely destroyed the detached garage. Vehicles parked next to the structure suffered minor heat damage. Frew's barking dog woke him and alerted him to the fire.


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Possible chimney fire in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A possible chimney fire is reported at 2185 Route 5. A passerby called dispatch and said heavy smoke, with a yellow-brown hue, was pouring from the chimney.

East Pembroke and Pembroke fire departments are responding.

A firefighter said it is possible that they've responded to that address previously for the same kind of report but the heavy smoke was due to the type of wood the residents burn.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: This was not a chimney fire. Responders are put back in service.


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Truck on fire on Ellicott Street

By Billie Owens

A pickup truck is on fire at 610 Ellicott Street, at the intersection with Buell Street. The truck has a full tank of gasoline in it and is fully in flames. The driver is out.

Ellicott Street at Harvester Avenue is being shut down to traffic.

Batavia City Fire Department and police are on scene.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Semi-trucks are backing up on Route 63. Some traffic is being routed down Harvester. A tow truck has been called.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m. (by Howard): The truck was being driven by Fred Haslip. He said, "It just started to smoke. The cab started to fill up and we just pulled over and jumped out as fast as we could. There was a lot of smoke, but nothing under the hood. Then all of the sudden, it just burst into flames." Haslip said both he and his wife got out of the truck safely. Ellicott Street is now clear.

Trailer fire reported on Route 262

By Howard B. Owens

A passerby has called in a trailer fire in the area of Route 262 and Transit Road.

It's unknown if the trailer is occupied.

Byron and South Byron being dispatched along with a tanker from Elba and Town of Batavia's Fast Team.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: First responder reports heavy smoke upon approach.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: There are people outside the structure, still unknown if anybody is inside.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: Law enforcement was on scene first and vented windows. Still unknown if residents inside. All Elba equipment dispatched.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: A tanker from Bergen is now on scene. Mercy EMS also responded. A fire chief asks dispatch to contact Elba School to see if they have anyone registered at that address.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: Byron and South Byron back in service.


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Fire on propane truck reported on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

Either a tire or brakes on a propane truck on the Thruway near mile marker 401 has caught fire.

The explosion occurred shortly after the first call to Pembroke Fire Department went out.

UPDATE 7:54 a.m.: Fire is knocked down. Another Pembroke and Indian Falls unit requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATE 8:09 a.m.: The fire is under control and crews are cooling down the truck. Now there is a report of a motor-vehicle accident just west of the fire scene in the eastbound lane. There are no apparent injuries.

UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: Mercy EMS requested to the scene to evaluate a driver. There was heavy interior damage to the car and air-bag deployment. The car rear-ended a tractor-trailer.

Possible chimney fire on North Bergen Road

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at a structure located at 6719 North Bergen Road.

Byron, South Byron and Bergen fire departments are called to the scene. Elba Fire Department is told to stand in at Bergen's headquarters.

A firefighter on scene says no flames are showing. Units told to respond nonemergency.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: Using a thermal imaging camera and evaluating the situation, the fire chief says he's found "nothing over 100 degrees from the chimney up through the roofline."

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: Fire units are being returned to service.


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Chimney fire reported on Bennett Road, Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

A chimney fire has been reported at 2225 Bennett Road, Alexander.

The location is just east of Simmons Road.

Darien Fire, all equipment, with one tanker from Alexander and one from Corfu, requested to the scene.

Mercy EMS also dispatched.

UPDATE 4:34 p.m.: Chief on scene says, "no smoke showing."

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: Fire appears out. A thermal camera is requested.
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Fire alarm: meat case is smoking at the Walmart

By Billie Owens

A fire alarm has sounded at the Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive. A caller reports the meat case in the grocery section is smoking, but no fire is present.

Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

No announcement about evacuating the store has been mentioned on the scanner, but pedestrian traffic at the scene is said to be heavy.

"There's definately the odor of electrical smoke," says a firefighter.

The meat cooler is on the west side of building. Responders say they may need to dismantle the meat case to reach the source of the problem.

The firefighters are asking for a thermal imaging camera and other appropriate equipment.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: A firefighter says there's definately an electrical fire in either the cooling or lighting element in the meat cooler. They are working to isolate the problem.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.: More manpower is called to the scene. A firefighter says the problem is in the lighting element. They have "shut down the main power to the whole building." They want a couple of people to get shopping carts and go to the meat cooler and load them up with product so as to cut Walmart's loss. They are going to use "CO," chemicals, to fight the fire. They want tarps to protect surfaces. They are working to isolate the lighting breakers so other power in the store can be restored.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: They are working with management to contact an electrician to go to the scene.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: A local contractor has been called and is en route. Meanwhile, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets has been notified, per protocol when food products are involved in a fire emergency.

UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: The state Department of Health has also been notified and will be in touch with Walmart management.

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