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Photos: House fire at 26 Maple St., Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A three-unit apartment building at 26 Maple St., Batavia, was destroyed today by a raging inferno that consumed the upper floor of the building shortly after 1:30 p.m.

The tenants of all three units -- a mother with three children, a mother with two children and a single male -- were home when the fire erupted and all residents, including children, escaped the blaze.

One woman suffered burns on her hands.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined.

What remains of the structure will be demolished this evening.

The mothers with children are being assisted by Red Cross.

The property is owned by Thomas Snyder and was assessed at $80,000.

Retired firefighter Frank Capuano said he remembers that when he was a child the building was a grocery store / corner market.

All city fire platoons were called to the scene, with mutual aid from Town of Batavia and Elba fire departments, and Oakfield filling in at the city station. Mercy EMS provided medical and rehab support.

No firefighters were injured.

UPDATE 6:16 p.m.: Chief Jim Maxwell said the fire has been ruled accidental. No further information is being released at this time.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

Jessica Semar

Genesee County Virtual Yard Sale on Facebook is gathering up donations for the mother of 3 and her children. If anybody is interested, a friend of hers has posted on the page and has more information.

Apr 20, 2012, 8:13pm Permalink

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