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Grass fire reported off East Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A large grass fire has been reported behind Western New York Concrete at 638 E. Main St., Batavia.

A State Trooper on scene says there are several small grass fires. "It was definitely started by somebody," he said.

City fire is responding, as well as city police.

UPDATE: 5:45 p.m. (Billie): The Second Platoon is handling the fire now. The First and Third platoons are requested to stand in at the main fire hall. It is reported that fire has spread eastward, nearing the sand wash.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m. (Billie): Now declaring a general alarm fire. Requesting a Town of Batavia grass/brush fire truck to the scene.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m. (Howard): The fire is now along the back of DeWitt Park. Flames are up to five-feet high. It is reported that at least 12 different fires were most likely intentionally set.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m. (Billie): Fire crews from the Town of Batavia are asked to stand-by at the town's fire headquarters.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m. (Howard): Left the fire scene about 6:30. Fire crews were checking for hot spots. Pictures to come in a separate post shortly.


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Kristen Walf

I'm not sure if they were all related but my dad, brother, and boyfriend seen the kids that started the fire on Holmes yesterday. There were about 4 boys on bikes, prolly between the ages of 10 to 14. My dad yelled at them when he seen the fire and they all ran away, 3 of them ran towards main st and one ran towards east ave. The one that ran towards east ave was wearing a bright neon colored orange shirt and baseball hat,not sure what the others where wearing cause it happend so fast.

May 30, 2010, 10:53pm Permalink
Greg Siedlecki

Most people have cameras on their cell phones, maybe we need to be snapping shots of these little juvenile delinquents' if we see these things happening.
PS: prolly is not a word, yet, the word is PROBABLY. Sorry ..... spelling and grammer are a pretty big deal to me.

May 31, 2010, 8:02am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

The people in the boat were clear on the other side of the lake when I arrived. There were no boaters on this side of the lake when I arrived. I wouldn't assume any boaters were in the area -- or not -- at the time the fires started.

Police interviewed some of the boaters and none of those interviewed saw anything.

May 31, 2010, 8:06am Permalink

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