fire

An apparent short in a fuse box caused a truck fire this afternoon at 9380 Route 19, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire responded at 2:05 p.m.

Because the fire was so close to a residential structure, and with a little wind today, 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood had Pavilion fire stand by in quarters until his firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Wood said the residents were trying to jump-start the truck after it had been sitting for a couple of days and they noticed smoke coming from the fuse box. They went inside to call the dealer and short time later looked out a window and saw flames, so at this point, Wood said, the cause of the fire appears to be electrical.

Photos and video submitted by Russ Hopfer.

A residence at 9 Orleans Ave., Batavia, is reportedly filling with smoke.

The residents have been told to evacuate.

The building may be a duplex.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: "Nothing showing. Investigating."

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: Food in the stove. Ventilating.

A fire at 20 Columbia Ave., Batavia, in the early morning of March 6, appears to have been caused by an electrical issue and was accidental, according to City Fire Chief Steve Napolitano. 

Several animals apparently lost their lives in the fire, though no people were hurt.

The house was owner-occupied by Peter and Marilyn Demmer and five people, including a newborn infant, were home at the time of the fire, which was reported at about 4:15 a.m.

Napolitano did not have a count of how many animals lived at the residence. Firefighters located four deceased pets. One dog escaped the fire.

The structure of the house is sound, Napolitano said, but the interior was a total loss. The ground floor sustained massive damage from heat, smoke and water and the second floor had extensive smoke and heat damage. The total loss estimate is $180,000 to $200,000.

"Firefighters were able to recover some personal items of value to the family," Napolitano said.

Napolitano said the residents were offered assistance by the Salvation Army and Red Cross but he is uncertain if they accepted or made other arrangements on their own.

A working structure fire is reported at 20 Columbia Ave., near Ellsworth Avenue, in the city. City of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Alexander's Fast team, Town of Batavia and Elba fire.

A second Town of Batavia crew is asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 4:58 a.m.: The Town of Batavia crew standing by in quarters is called to the scene, to join interior firefighters.

UPDATE 5:04 a.m.: There is heavy smoke pouring from the house, but few flames showing. The housing on the street is tightly constricted, and roadway narrow, making it difficult for fire equipment to maneuver at the scene. So those are among the challenges in fighting this fire.

UPDATE 5:09 a.m.: Apparently the occupants have several pets. A dog just came out of the building.

UPDATE 6:20 a.m.: The chief says the fire is under control.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: Among the five residents in the house was an infant. All occupants were out safely before firefighters arrived on  scene. It's unclear how many pets lived in the residence. One dog did emerge from the residence during the fire. The cause and origin of the fire is still under investigation but it may have begun with a portable electric heater in the basement.

A working structure fire is reported at Hanson Aggregates off Cedar Street in the City of Batavia. City fire is responding.

There are workers who were working on the silo and some material fell onto the roof and started a fire, which they thought they extinguished, but it reignited, according to the initial caller to the dispatch center.

UPDATE 11:42 a.m.: City command calls the third platoon to headquarters to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: The fire is out; working now on overhaul and accessing the damaged area of the building. Command says city police can reopen Cedar Street.

UPDATE 11:52 a.m.: Workers were using a blowtorch to cut some metal and slag fell onto the roof, starting the conflagration.

Smoke from the piping of a wood-burning stove is filling the residence at 1740 Richley Road, Darien. The location is just east of Colby Road. Residents have been advised to evacuate. Darien Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m.: A firefighter on scene reports there is a possible leak coming from the wood stove in the basement.

UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Command says Darien can proceed in non-emergency mode.

A caller reports that he wasn't in an accident, but his car is on fire and it's in a cornfield off of Lake Street Road and Selden Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire dispatched. A chief request the first engine out be the brush truck.

UPDATE 7:07 p.m.: Because of the distance off the road, more brush trucks requested to the scene. It is a working fire. Pavilion, Bergen and Stafford all requested to the scene.

There's a report of wires down and a tree on fire in the area of 6283 Fisher Road, Oakfield.

Oakfield fire dispatched.

A garage fire is reported at 17 Porter Ave. City fire is responding. The location is between West Main Street and Washington Avenue.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m.: Fire is out. Mercy medics responding to a victim with burns on his arm(s).

UPDATE 7 p.m.: According to Lt. Greg Ireland, City fire, a small box was on fire in the garage and the resident had it 95 percent out when firefighters arrived. A fire investigation team from City fire is investigating the cause of the fire. The resident was transported to UMMC for treatment.

A barn fire is reported at 7637 Buffalo Road, Riga. That's in the Bergen Fire District.

Bergen fire responding.

City's Fast team and Mercy EMS dispatched. Le Roy's ladder truck requested to the scene.

A chief on scene reports firefighters will execute an exterior attack only. There are some small explosions, possible fireworks.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: The fire is under control and hot spots are being extinguished. Mumford and Churchville also responded to the blaze.

An equipment fire, with smoke and flames showing, is reported at the McDonald's in Le Roy, 57 Main St.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Caledonia's ladder truck was dispatched. A chief on scene says it can stage in quarters.

UPDATE 11:16 a.m.: Fire is out. Caledonia can go back in service. Health Department and code enforcement requested to the scene.

A skid loader fire is reported at 5263 Bridge Road, Elba.

The skid loader was in a barn but has been pushed out. The caller believes the barn is OK.

Elba fire responding.

UPDATE 12:54 a.m.: A chief on scene reports the skid loader is fully involved and confirms it is out of the barn.

UPDATE 12:57 a.m.:  Now there are no flames; a chief reports, “The fire looks to be pretty snuffed out at this time.” Responding units can come nonemergency and are aduvised to use caution on the snow-covered roads.

A Washington Avenue resident with a criminal history and wanted on a warrant was taken into custody this morning after police were called to a domestic incident where he allegedly threatened to shoot police and later set fire to his own apartment.

Eddie Miles eventually came down a ladder from the back of the apartment on his own, which allowed firefighters to begin attacking the fire in the second floor and attic of 207 Washington Ave., Batavia.

He was taken to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained in the domestic incident and the subsequent blaze.

Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence said the dispatch center received a call about a domestic incident at the upper apartment at 8:55 this morning. Two officers quickly responded and Miles allegedly smashed a window and threatened to use a firearm against them.

At that point, a perimeter was established in the neighborhood with the aid of the Sheriff's Office and State Troopers. There was a reverse 9-1-1 call placed to neighbors near the scene, telling them to lockdown, shelter in place. 

Police grabbed a ladder from neighbors at the scene, though the woman jump from the stoop roof into the arms of police officers. She was taken to the hospital for the evaluation of injuries sustained in the domestic incident, Lawrence said.

A fire, believed to have been intentionally set by Miles, broke out in the rear of the upper apartment. Miles refused to leave and kept calling 9-1-1, demanding to speak with the female, who had by then been transported to the hospital.

As smoke poured from the house, police were concerned for the safety of firefighters with a potentially armed suspect still at large. The firefighters could not approach the house. An unarmed Miles came out on the roof. Between the very cold weather and the house fire, Lawrence said the bare-footed Miles had some incentive to climb down the ladder unaided. 

He was taken into custody.

Fire scene commander Lt. Greg Ireland said it goes against a firefighter's nature to sit back and watch a house burn but until the suspect was in custody that was all city crews could do. They were initially called to the scene to assist with rescuing the woman from the house, which was not yet on fire when they were called. Once they were cleared to attack the fire, firefighters made quick work of it and contained the fire to the second floor and attack.

Lawrence said police are not certain Miles actually had a firearm; none was found.

At about 1 p.m., City Fire cleared the scene, but police and code enforcement remain on Washington Avenue and the duty sergeant has informed dispatch, this incident will tie up the officers who responded for much of the rest of the day. Additional patrols are on duty.

In addition to other arrests over the past few years, Miles was a suspect in a choking incident and the injection of a purple liquid into a dog in August.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: In response to rumors being spread on social media, we asked if the police used tear gas. Chief Shawn Heubusch said there was no tear gas used. Further, police believe evidence points to Miles starting the fire, not the police.

Photos by Howard Owens. Howard Owens contributed to the reporting of this story.

Video submitted by Jim Horncastle.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Jim Horncastle.

A shed fire is reported at 8449 North Lake Road, Pembroke.

A chief on scene reports that it looks like the only thing in the shed is a motorcycle.

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

UPDATE 5:56 a.m.: Indian Falls engine returning; in service. 

UPDATE 6:46 a.m.: All units back in service. Fire coordinators and deputies remaining in scene. 

A chicken coop fire is reported at 3246 Galloway Road.

A first responder on scene reports two sheds, one completely on the ground, the other starting to get fully involved, about 50 feet from the residence.

Town of Batavia fire with mutual aid from Oakfield dispatched.

UPDATE 6:48 a.m.: East Pembroke requested to stand by in quarters. The flammables and snowblower removed from the second shed.

UPDATE 6:53 a.m.: Per town command, everything on the road can respond non-emergency. East Pembroke can go back in service.

A skidster is reportedly on fire inside a barn at 7116 Norton Road, Elba. The barn is 75 feet from a house. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Byron. Stafford is requested to stand by in quarters. The location is between Ford and Edgerton roads.

UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: Fire police are requested to shut down traffic at Route 262 and Edgerton Road. Command at the scene tells responders to "take it easy coming in," due to road conditions.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: City Engine 11 and Town of Batavia Engine 24 are on scene, too. This is now a working barn fire.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: Fire police also requested for traffic control at the intersection of Edgerton and Norton roads, and at Batavia Elba Townline Road and Norton Road.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: This occurred at barns owned by Torrey Farms. The fire did not cause structural damage to the barn. Some hay spread through the barn did catch on fire. But there were 120 cows inside and all of them were unharmed and safely evacuated. Cow trailers are being deployed to shuttle the cows to CY Farms' Heifer Farm, where they will be kept temporarily. It is estimated that it will take about 10 trips to transport the cows for safekeeping.

UPDATE 6:24  p.m.: Elba Fire Chief Mike Heale said the skidster fire sparked some hay but there's no significant structural damage to the barn; some top beams may be singed in places -- a later inspection can confirm that. Heale said there was no extension of the blaze.

UPDATE 6:57 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service, returning.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.: Elba back in service. Roads reopened.

UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: Correction, the road is still closed. It is closed until the cows have been moved so the trucks can more safely back in. There is at least one more round trip for the trucks.

A tractor fire, near the maintenance building, is reported at the Stafford Country Club.

Stafford fire responding.

UPDATED 12:40 p.m.

A candle may have sparked a structure fire at 2210 Judge Road shortly after 8 a.m. that caused smoke inhalation and burns for one resident of the apartment building.

Alabama Chief Gary Patnode said the cause is under investigation but the resident mentioned a candle before being transported to ECMC by Mercy EMS for treatment.

A dog in an upstairs apartment succumbed to the smoke and two cats were rescued, including one that required emergency medical assistance from volunteer personnel at the scene.

The apartment complex is a former store that contains four units, but only two were occupied.

When Alabama fire was first dispatched, there was an upstairs resident who was unaccounted for and firefighters immediately searched the upstairs unit. The man is a former Alabama volunteer and his wife is a current volunteer. After some phone calls, Patnode said, the man was located at another location and was safe.

Another person was evaluated at the scene by Mercy personnel.

A quick response helped get the fire knocked down quickly, Patnode said, but he credited the resident, primarily, for closing the door behind her when left the structure.

"The homeowner did the right thing," Patnode said. "She closed the door upon exiting the apartment, which primarily kept (the fire) confined to their apartment. The fire was oxygen deprived upon our going in there. Pretty much, it burned itself out."

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Initial reports below:

A house fire is reported at 2180 2210 Judge Road, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pembroke, Oakfield, East Pembroke, Elba, Darien, Shelby and the city's Fast Team. No people are entrapped, but there may be animals inside. The third platoon is requested to stand by in city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: Two people have minor burns on their hands. One is at the house next door and the other is at the church on the corner. Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is responding. Traffic will be shut down by fire police at Route 63 and Gorton Road, and Route 63 and Macomber Road.

UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: Code enforcement and National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Indian Falls was also called and now Akron is asked to stand by in the Indian Falls' station. 

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Alabama command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 9:17 a.m.: Any tanker called but not yet deployed is returned to service. A fill-in from Town of Batavia is requested to Oakfield Fire Hall.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: Corfu is called to stand by in its own quarters.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m.: Fire is out; doing overhaul and ventilating.

UPDATE 9:33 a.m.: One person was transported to ECMC with minor burns and suffering from smoke inhalation. Another person is being evaluated by medics at the scene.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: The pet dog died in the fire and was just removed by firefighters. Responders are trying to resuscitate one pet cat and another one made it out safely.

UPDATE 9:48 a.m.: The ailing cat was successfully resuscitated and is fine now.

UPDATE 10:13 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire and Sheldon fire requested to return to scene. 

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Elba requested to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: Crews are picking up.

A caller reports seeing flames at the construction site at 4187 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: First responder: "Confirmed. Looks like a small fire."

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Fire must be out. Town assignment back in service.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Another fire reported at the same location.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Town of Batavia assignment back in service.