fire

A smoke detector helped alert residents that a fire was smoldering inside a rooming house at 433 E. Main St., Batavia.

"My wife heard a beeping noise and she smelled smoke," said resident Joe Allegue. "We opened the door, we’re in apartment 11, and the black smoke just billowed right into the room and covered us."

Allegue said he started yelling, "Fire," and got his wife out then called 9-1-1.

The basement fire was reported to Genesee County Dispatch at 4:16 p.m., and the first city crews were on scene within minutes. Smoke was already billowing from the basement and working its way up to the second and third floors.

Firefighters faced some significant structural obstacles in fighting the fire, according to Chief James Maxwell, which eventually forced firefighters to withdraw from the interior of the complex.

"We made several attempts at the basement, but by that time, it was already on the first and second floors," Maxwell said. "The way the interior structure was portioned with the different apartments, we were just chasing it around from room to room. Eventually it got in the attic, so at that point, the safest option was to go to a defensive operation."

The city already had Ladder Truck 15 on scene, pouring water on the roof from the southwest corner of the building. Town of Batavia's Ladder Truck 25 was brought to the scene to attack the fire from the rear roof area.

According to tax records, the structure was built in 1950. That was near the end of the use of balloon-framing construction in the United States, according to Wikipedia.

In balloon framing, the walls of a building are continuously open from the basement to the attic, making it easier for a fire to climb quickly up the interior of the walls.

The building is a total loss. Fire crews were still on scene at midnight, with active firefighting lasting at least five hours.

At 11 p.m., investigators were calling for water to be pumped from the basement so they could begin the work of trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Eleven people living in eight boarding rooms and two apartments were displaced by the fire.

That's the hardest part said property owner Terry Platt. While the nature of insurance on this type of rental property means he may never fully recover the financial loss, it's sad, he said, seeing his tenants go through something like this.

"They’re the type of residents who really can’t afford the insurance to be able to cover all of their contents and of course they’re going to lose everything now," said Platt, who acquired the property in 1990. "That’s the worst part. It’s just sad. The rest of it is just a big headache, but it’s worse for all the tenants. They’re walking out with no shoes on their feet. It’s just sad to see that happen."

Platt said the loan on the property was nearly paid off and once it was, he was going to be able to invest in upgrades to the apartments.

Within hours of the fire being reported, Red Cross officials were beginning to assist residents in finding temporary housing, but Platt said there's a shortage of rooming houses available at the rate his tenants could afford to pay -- he was charging from $75 to $85 per week -- so finding long-term housing for many of the residents could prove difficult.

All 11 residents were safely accounted for within two hours of the fire being reported. At one point, one resident was thought to possibly still be in an apartment. The inset picture is of Platt trying to recall, so he could tell a firefighter, the best way to get to the apartment.

Doug Yeomans also submitted a series of photos from the fire.

Disclosure: Terry Platt is my landlord.

More pictures after the jump:

An alarm system and quick response from the Batavia City Fire Department saved a home on East Avenue from destruction tonight when a fire started in the kitchen while the homeowners were away.

The alarm came in at 7:41 p.m. at 224 East Ave., Batavia, and when firefighters arrived on scene, according to Capt. Craig Williams, the inferno building inside wasn't obvious.

"When pulled up we could hear an audible alarm sounding but couldn’t see any smoke," Williams said. "There was nobody home at the time. It was closed up tight. When we went to the front door, we could smell something burning inside and we could see steam on the inside of all the windows, so it was pretty hot in there."

During an exterior check of the house, a firefighter saw flames through a rear window, so crews broke in through the front door.

The kitchen was quickly fully involved and firefighters began beating back the flames from a front window, pushing the fire toward the back of the house.

Chief James Maxwell credited the crews with a quick, strategic response for saving the structure. As rapidly as fire can spread, without either the alarm or the fast response, the whole structure could have become engulfed quickly.

The home, owned by Jeffery and Rebecca Oshlag, suffered $30,000 damage from what is officially classified as an accidental fire.

The kitchen was destroyed and there was heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the house.

Two cats survived the fire. One suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to a veterinary clinic. It is expected to survive. (NOTE: See comment below from Rachel Oshlag -- one of the cats, an orange tabby, is still missing. Rachel believes it's in the neighborhood someplace.)

Rebecca Oshlag said she was grateful for the alarm system and the quick response from the fire department.

She also praised Nancy Nickerson and Sean Valdes, owners of the D&R Depot in Le Roy, where she and her husband were having dinner. 

She said they had just sat down when Jeffery received the call about the fire alarm.  Thinking that it was a false alarm, Jeffery hopped in his car and headed toward the house, planning to return to dinner.

When they found out it was a real fire, Rebecca said she approached Nancy and said she had a problem -- there was a fire at her house and Jeffery had already left. Sean drove Rebecca home.

"It was wonderful, wonderful help from the Depot," Rebecca said. "It's one of the advantages of small-town living."

(initial report)

Photo: Submitted by a reader.

A fire is reported at a residence at 224 East Ave. in the City of Batavia.

City firefighters and Mercy medics are responding following a fire alarm there. A second fire platoon is requested to standby in headquarters. Batavia police are helping with traffic control.

National Grid is being notified about the incident, but no other details have yet been reported. The occupants are not home.

UPDATE (7:57 p.m.): The fourth platoon is requested to standby in headquarters and the second platoon is called to the scene. It is reportedly a fully involved kitchen fire.

UPDATE (8 p.m.): Firefighters on scene are told to come in through the back sliding glass doors. The homeowner is en route according to the alarm company.

UPDATE (8:03 p.m.): The fire is "knocked down." National Grid is expected momentarily. Traffic barricades are soon to be delivered.

UPDATE (8:07 p.m.): The homeowners are on scene. One cat has been rescued, but firefighters are told there's another one still inside the home.

UPDATE (8:19 p.m.): The firefighters are now doing "overhaul" to ensure the fire's complete extinction.

A possible barn fire has been reported in the area of 602 Cohocton Road, Corfu.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire have been dispatched.

UPDATE 10:20 a.m.: An assistant chief on scene says it was a small fire and appears to be out. Units told to come in non-emergency.

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A dryer fire is reported at 9908 in Creek Road in the Town of Bethany. It is out, but the home is filled with smoke. A tanker and one fire engine were requested. The residents are out of the building.

A fire is reported at Darien Lake Theme Park inside the human resources center. Smoke is visible.

Darien fire is dispatched.

A fire is reported at an apartment building at 42 Spencer Court in the City of Batavia. The possible structure fire is reported to be in an end building and there is some traffic congestion due to people trying to leave the scene or move their cars.

Firefighters on scene report smoke showing.

UPDATE (9:58 p.m.): The smoke is said to be coming from a BBQ grill and fire units are back in service.

Heavy smoke is reported coming from a dryer at a laundromat at 34 South Pearl Street Road in Oakfield.

Oakfield Fire Department is responding.

All available manpower from the Pavilion Fire Department is responding as mutual aid to York to fight a structure fire at 2905 Simpson Road.

Le Roy Fire Department is filling in at the Pavilion hall.

UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): Bethany Fire Department is called to fill in at the Le Roy fire hall.

UPDATE (1:33 p.m.): All Genesee County firefighters are ordered out of the structure. The fire chief reports they are already out and were the last ones out on the second floor.

An unknown type fire has been reported off Sumner Road, between Fargo and Countyline roads.

The caller reports seeing flames and a glow in the sky.

Darien Fire is being dispatched.

UPDATE 9:59 p.m.: It's sounding like a controlled burn. Law enforcement requested to the scene. A chief said, "I explained to him the other day he can't just burn anything."

City Fire is being dispatched to 4 James St., Batavia, to investigate smoke coming out of a pipe that is protruding from the back porch.

This is the scene of a dryer fire last week and an abatement company is on scene doing clean up and workers noticed the smoke.

There is no visible fire.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Engine 14 and Ladder 15 back in service.

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A man at 127 Pearl St., Batavia, was taken to UMMC by Mercy EMS this morning after he was reportedly burned while lighting a pilot light for a water heater.

When he tried to light the pilot, there was apparently a quick, small explosion, but no fire followed.

City fire responded at shortly after 9 a.m.

Because it was an accident and no fire, there is no publicly available report with the victim's name or age or medical condition.

An apparently abandoned car was found smoking at Hanson Aggregates, 7875 East Main Road, Le Roy. The car may be on fire.

Law enforcement and Le Roy Fire are being dispatched.

UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: Confirmed, working car fire; abandoned car.

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A brush fire is reported behind a barn at 516 Sumner Road, between Fargo and County Line roads.

Darien Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE (5:10 p.m.): A person on scene on Sumner Road reports heavy smoke is coming from down in Erie County. A firefighter says wind may have blown in the smoke reported by a passerby. They are investigating the area.

UPDATE (5:22 p.m.): Darien fire is back in service. It was found to be a bonfire at 526 Sumner Road. A person there was informed that it was illegal to burn some of the material being used to fuel the flames.

A microwave oven is reportedly on fire in the kitchen of a home at 5161 Walkers Corners Road, Byron.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are being dispatched.

The homeowner has used a fire extinguisher, but it's unknown if the fire is out.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: Units told to respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: Byron and South Byron back in service.

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Kids in a backyard at 112 Tracy Ave., north of North Street in Batavia, are believed to be responsible for a fire there. It is now out.

Still, city fire is responding.

A medic walked over from the United Memorial Medical Center to see what was causing the smoke and flames. An irate neighbor also complained about the fire, which is apparently a "controlled burn" of sorts.

At first, it was thought to be a house on fire, then something outside burning. Firefighters are investigating the incident.

Batavia Police Department officers are also on scene.

UPDATE (7:49 p.m.): Firefighters are returning to quarters after informing the homeowners that controlled burns are not allowed within city limits.

A house is reportedly filling with smoke at 4 James St., Batavia.

City Fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m: Second alarm for the fourth platoon, standby at HQ.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: A resident, Joseph Trigilo, told firefighters a load of clothes had just finished drying and a few minutes later the smoke detector sounded. They checked the laundry room and it was filling up with smoke. City Fire responded quickly. When firefighters arrived there were flames in the laundry room and the fire was starting to go up a wall. The fire was put out before reaching the attic.

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A caller reported seeing black smoke coming from a residence on East Main Street.

A first responder says the smoke is coming from the second floor of 318 E. Main St., Batavia.

A second alarm has been requested.

UPDATE 12:55 a.m.: On scene, whatever fire there was -- and there was clearly a fire -- was extinguished pretty quickly. Fire personnel were overheard saying the apartment where the fire was located was vacant, but questions about the fire were referred to Chief James Maxwell, who was not on scene. The building has six mailboxes. There was no evidence that any residents were home, and the open upper windows gave the appearance of vacant apartments or offices. Firefighters forced access into the doors of the front office, and upstairs spaces as well as the basement, to check for any additional fire. A few minutes ago, an investigator on scene (heard over the scanner) asked to speak to the original caller.

MORNING UPDATE: The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. The fire was in the kitchen with extension up an interior wall. In this morning's press release, there is no mention of cause or origin. Confirmed, the building was vacant. The fire is under investigation by the police and fire departments.

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At 4:35 p.m., City Fire responded to a report of a fire at 216 Ellicott St., Batavia. A caller reported smelling and seeing smoke. A person may have been yelling, "fire."  It turned out to be a stove fire that was extinguished before city crews arrived. The building was ventilated and City Fire was back in service by 5:05 p.m.

A caller reports smoke in her basement at 1073 Bethany Center Road.  She said she started her furnace just prior to the smoke appearing.

Stafford Fire and Bethany Fire being dispatched.

First responder reports: "Nothing showing."

UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: Crews and equipment being held in their halls while the situation is further investigated.

UPDATE 11: 47 a.m.: Stafford standing down.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Bethany back in service.

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