At the new Dunkin' Donuts on West Main Street, Batavia, you can get a free charge, if you have an electric car, to go with your morning jolt of coffee.
This is apparently a trend for Dunkin' Donuts with a few popping up around the country.
The charging station is listed on PlugShare -- a listing that might encourage drivers of electric cars to exit the Thruway in Batavia if they're a little low on energy.
A 37-year-old Corfu resident was flown by Mercy Flight to ECMC yesterday morning after her car struck a parked construction trailer on Hopkins Road, Pembroke, at 8:18 a.m.
The trailer was parked partially in the roadway and it may have been difficult for Lori Schwab to see in the early morning sun as she came over a rise in a hill, according to investigators.
She was driving a 2009 Chevy sedan.
The trailer is registered to B&B Paving and Excavating, of Middleport. It wasn't attached to another vehicle at the time of the accident.
The owner was cited for alleged parking or standing on a main traveled paved roadway.
The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.
Photo: By Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.
Batavia Downs opened its 71st season Wednesday night with a big crowd and record purses for drivers.
Todd Haight, director of living racing, said the Downs has been able to boost the purses because increased revenue from the gaming floor and the concert series this summer helped bring more people to Batavia Downs, and also generated revenue that could add to the purse pool.
The bigger purses mean more big name drivers. This season, Ake Svanstedt, from Sweden, and Jason Bartlett joined the field.
The track also moved up start times this season. Haight said the new start time is closer to the final race time for the thoroughbreds at other tracks, so OTB betters around the state are more likely to stick around for harness racing. That means bigger prize pools for wagers, Haight said.
This is also the first full season the Batavia Downs Hotel has been open, and on opening night for the race season, all the rooms were booked, Haight said.
He also highlighted the food service at the gaming facility and the special promotions that will be taking place throughout the year.
“We really think it’s going to be another good year,” Haight said.
Ake Svanstedt won the fourth race driving Natalie Hanover.
Press release:
Proving that a minute can matter, Tompkins Bank of Castile is launching the fourth and final round of the quarterly Community Minute Challenge. Each quarterly winner is awarded $2,500; by the end of the contest, a total of $10,000 will have been provided in much-needed funds to local not-for-profit organizations.
“In each of the first three rounds, the support for the Community Minute Challenge has been impressive, with thousands of votes cast for the participating organizations,” said John McKenna, bank president and CEO.
“As proud members of the communities where we operate, we’re thankful for the important services that are provided by non-for-profit organizations in our area. We’re thrilled to be able to bring attention to their positive work through the Community Minute Challenge.”
The fourth round started on July 24 and runs through Aug. 7. The winning organization is determined by public voting on the Bank of Castile Facebook page, where visitors can watch the one-minute videos produced by participating nonprofits and then vote for their favorite. Each video explains how the non-profit would use the awarded funds. The six organizations competing in this round are:
- Delphi Drug and Alcohol Council Inc. (Monroe County)
- Friends of Letchworth State Park (Wyoming County)
- Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library (Genesee County)
- Genesee Cancer Assistance (Genesee County)
- Geneseo Parish Outreach Center (Livingston County)
- Gilda's Club Rochester (Monroe County)
To show support for the initiative and cast a vote, participants should “like” the Tompkins Bank of Castile Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TompkinsBankofCastile and click on the Community Minute Challenge app. They can then select their favorite nonprofit after watching the one-minute videos. Individuals can vote once per day during the contest period.
Launched in August 2016, the Community Minute Challenge has awarded $7,500 to date. The first-round winner was Going to the Dogs Rescue in Wyoming County, an organization dedicated to helping homeless pets find loving forever homes. The second-round winner was ARC of Genesee Orleans, a resource of choice for people with disabilities and their families in both Genesee and Orleans counties. The third-round winner was Community Action for Wyoming County, an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of all people they serve by focusing on their needs, and encouraging them to realize their goals and become self-sufficient.
There is no separating the Christian faith of Deputy Brian Thompson and his work over the past 25 years with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.
From his positive spirit, ready encouraging words for everybody he comes across and his gentle reminders that "life is temporary but eternity is forever," Thompson makes it clear he doesn't do one thing on Sunday and live his life differently.
"Sometimes we think we can compartmentalize things and say, 'Well I can have faith on Sunday but the rest of the time I'm just going to be like the world and be harsh,' and we can't be that. I tried not to compartmentalize who I am in God. And I think that's made me who I am as a police officer on the scene."
Thompson retired today and he said he can look back on a career where he thinks he's made a difference in people's lives, even people he's arrested.
"A lot of those citizens on that side of the law have become my friends over the years," Thompson said. "That's very rewarding to see people that are hating law enforcement, hating authority more or less -- and then to become great citizens in the community, and loving God or loving the Lord, or just maybe even having a wake-up call and change your life, and then reaching back and saying that they love me and care about me is very humbling."
Thompson said people have reminded him over the years that it wasn't his job to be a preacher or pastor while on the job, but that didn't mean he couldn't keep seeing each person he met someone special.
"Each individual person I run into is special and unique and made in God's image," Thompson said. "When we do that and we put them first in God's eyes, it makes you have more of a compassion for them. I haven't always perfectly done that, but I would say for the most part God has given me the courage and the patience and the endurance to be that for most of those persons over the years."
Thompson grew up in Genesee County. He attended Pavilion High School and then transferred to Oakfield-Alabama, where he graduated in 1986.
Thompson accepted Christ when he was 18.
At the time, from the outside people might have thought he had things together. He was an athlete and among the top 10 academically in his class, but inside, he said there was more anger than love.
"Alcohol was taking over my life," Thompson said.
Jesus, he said, "changed my life for eternity."
After graduation, Thompson joined the Army, which is where he got involved with K-9s.
He returned home in 1990, already a married man.
He met his wife, Amy, while in high school and through the first two years of his Army hitch, they stayed in touch through letters and phone calls and were married in 1988.
Brian and Amy have four children, Ethan, 23, Olivia, 20, Sophia, 16, and Gideon, 9.
In 1991, Thompson went to went to work for the Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer. After 18 months in the jail, he was transferred to road patrol. After road patrol and a sent on the Local Drug Task Force, he was offered a chance to become a K-9 handler again. He worked with three dogs over the course of his 14-year K-9 career: Yentl, Jay, and Pharoah.
One of the most dramatic events of Thompson's career occurred in Corfu in January 2014. The incident began when Thompson was dispatched to check on a car off the road. When he arrived, he recognized the subject in the car as Scott A. Kopper, who was wanted on a parole warrant. When Thompson attempted to get Kopper out of his vehicle, Kopper tried to drive off, dragging Thompson, whose arm was caught in the car door. A nearby truck driver intervened, possibly saving Thompson's life.
Kopper is currently serving a seven-year prison term for the assault.
"I love Scott," Thompson said. "I haven't had an opportunity to touch his life in jail yet but I'm hoping to, as I retire, to be able to reach out to Scott and continue that love. This started at the sentencing time to say 'I forgive you and I love you and you mean something.' But we all have to be held accountable for our actions. And he did something that almost cost me my life and almost cost other people's lives.
"But his life was spared. And I think it was spared for a reason. So I do pray that Scott comes to know the Lord and turns his life over to him. I have no control over that. All I can do is extend my hand to him and say 'I love you and I care about you and I hope your life is more fulfilled than it was before.' "
Top Photo: Thompson, middle, with Undersheriff Greg Walker and Sheriff Bill Sheron.
Press release:
Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer's bill (S5064) to permanently allow the use of rifles for big game hunting in Genesee County has been signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
Senator Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:
“I am pleased to report that a new law will allow sportsmen in Genesee County to continue using rifles for big game hunting for years to come. The practice has proven to be successful since first enacted in 2015. Without action, the existing law would have expired later this year. That is why I worked throughout the 2017 Legislative Session to make the existing law permanent. Now, Genesee County will join other rural communities across New York State with a permanent provision.”
Press release:
In his continuing quest for bipartisanship, rare in today’s political climate, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will be hosting Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) in his Assembly district to demonstrate the concerns and needs of Western New Yorkers. In return, Hawley will visit Cusick’s home, Staten Island, at some point in the future.
“I am excited to host Assemblyman Cusick and show him how our lives are different in another region of the state,” Hawley said. “I am pleased that he accepted my invitation to travel the many miles to our area and his acceptance illustrates the bipartisanship and common bond we all have as state lawmakers despite the quarreling and vigorous policy debates we have in Albany. I hope other lawmakers follow our lead and remember that our common goal is to make all of New York a better place to live.”
"Although I have long represented a district in one of New York City's greenest boroughs known fondly as 'The Borough of Parks,' I believe my trip to Genesee and Orleans may challenge what I have always thought of as 'green space,' " said Assemblyman Cusick. "Very much looking forward to taking up Assemblyman Hawley on his kind offer to tour these beautiful counties."
Batavia High School's Tee Sean Ayala, one of the Blue Devils' stars on the court, posted some big games in the national AAU D1 championships in Florida this week.
Playing in the senior division, though he's coming into his junior year, Ayala scored in double digits in four of the six games he played in as his team, the Rap Stars, went 4-3, made the Elight Eight, and finished sixth in the tournament.
(Ayala, back row, far right, in uniform.)
New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II has appointed Major Edward J. Kennedy, of Buffalo, as the 24th Troop Commander of Troop A. Major Kennedy began his career in the State Police on Oct. 2, 1989 when he entered the New York State Police Academy. Major Kennedy has served most of his career in the Western New York area.
In 1999, he was promoted to Investigator and worked out of SP Wellsville. In October 2002, he was promoted to Senior Investigator and assigned to SP Jamestown.
In March of 2007, he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and assigned to SP Farmingdale, Long Island. After seven months in Long Island he was reassigned to Professional Standards Bureau Western region, which covers Troops A, E. After a few months he was reassigned to SP Jamestown as the Uniform Lieutenant. In April of 2009, he was assigned to SP Batavia as the Lieutenant of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
In September of 2012, he was reassigned to acting Zone 3 Commander (Jamestown area) and in March of 2013 promoted to Captain of Zone 3, Troop A. In February 2014, he was reassigned to Troop T, SP Buffalo as Captain, which covers the Thruway from Rochester to the Erie, Pa., line.
Major Kennedy’s appointment to Troop A Commander was effective July 13, 2017. He replaces Major Steven Nigrelli who was promoted to Staff Inspector of Professional Standards Bureau - Western region.
As the Troop A Commander, Kennedy will oversee the State Police operations in the eight counties of Western New York including Niagara, Orleans, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany. More than 430 civilian and sworn members are under Major Kennedy’s command.
Major Kennedy grew up in the Buffalo area and is a 1985 graduate of Buffalo State College. He is married and has three children.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the area of 8015 Hopkins Road, Pembroke.
Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire, with Mercy EMS, dispatched.
The roadway is blocked.
One patient is on the ground, on the lawn. A chief is asking for the availability of Mercy Flight.
UPDATE 8:28 a.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.
While Genesee County's unemployment rate remains lower than state and national averages, it still was slightly higher in this past June than it was 12 months before.
The June rate was 4.2 percent, up from 3.9 percent a year ago.
The rate for the state and nation is 4.5 percent, which in both cases is an improvement over a year ago when the rates were 4.7 and 5.1.
Genesee County also didn't add any new jobs year over year, with 24,000 jobs reported in the county for June 2016 and June 2017.
The Rochester-area unemployment rate is 4.8 and in the Buffalo area it is 5.1.
There are 29,000 people with jobs in Genesee County. A year ago, there was 29,500. There are 1,300 people without jobs who are considered part of the labor force. Last year, that number was 1,200.
Photo submitted by Jason Ball. Article by Jason Ball.
Champions!!!! Is the new title for a group of Pembroke baseball players who won the annual 10U Nunda baseball tournament this Sunday in Nunda.
The tournament was composed of seven teams Pembroke, Arkport, Campbell, Nunda, Letchworth, Perry and Wayland.
The tournament started on Tuesday night with Pembroke facing off against Nunda.
Nunda took the first game 16-10.
"It was a good tough fought game, our team grinded back but we came up short," said Jason Ball, head coach of the Dragons. "My assistants Jason Hootman, Jeff Abbatiello and I made a few changes stayed positive with our players and kept at it. Our team is resilient, and we believe we work harder than anyone out there and it shows on days like this."
The Dragons went on to beat Letchworth 8-4 in the next round and tied with them for first place in their pool.
Nunda, Letchworth, and Pembroke were all tied 1-1.
Nunda had 26 runs against Letchworth and Pembroke each had 20 runs against; a coin flip would decide the #1 seed and Pembroke won.
Ready to battle into the semifinals, Pembroke would take on #2 seed Campbell and come out victorious in a 6-3 final.
The Championship game would be decided Sunday between Pembroke and Perry.
"It was a fantastic game," Ball said. "Our boys came right out in the first inning and put two runs on the board and never looked back."
The Dragons won the matchup 10-4 to take the trophy back to their hometown.
"As a tournament coach, you have to ask yourself 'what is our goal?' Ours originally was to just get experience, then we were competitive, then we won. What more can you ask for from 9- and 10-year-old kids? These are a fantastic group of kids and the great thing about this team is there is only three 10-year-olds so our team is young and hungry for the game. Two of our 10-year-olds were the ace pitchers of the tournament."
Owen Hootman and Evan Schwerthoffer each pitched 12 innings in the tournament and combined for an impressive total of 55 strikeouts.
"These two boys have been our pitchers for the last two years and have worked very hard at their craft to be this successful," Bell said.
Kylan Ball led the way at the plate with eight hits .667 average, five RBIs, seven stolen bases, eight runs scored and four doubles.
"Our boys brought out the bats," Ball said.
Trey Newton had three extra base hits and hit .600. Anthony Abbatiello had seven hits, for a .467 average. Aiden Baldulf, Owen Hootman, and Evan Schwerthoffer all hit over .400.
The Pembroke team: Head Coach Jason Ball, assistant coaches Jason Hootman and Jeff Abbatiello, Players: Trey Newton, Kylan Ball, Owen Hootman, Evan Schwerthoffer, Anthony Abbatiello, Nolan Ball, Owen Shultz, Aiden Balduf, Brien Tyoe, Jayden Bridge, Landen Santini and Dylan Vaughn.
A motor-vehicle accident is reported at the intersection of Ellicott Street and Liberty Street, Batavia.
One person has a complaint of chest pain.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Lights along Park Road: The white light in the top of the frame is in the Town of Batavia and one of the new LED lights installed by National Grid. The two yellow streetlights in the background are in the City of Batavia.
Press release:
National Grid has converted 72 streetlights to LEDs in the Town of Batavia, which should reap the rewards of long-term cost and energy savings. The streetlight changeover represents the largest such LED streetlight conversion completed by National Grid in Western New York.
The streetlights were retrofitted as part of National Grid’s Outdoor Street Lighting Conversion Program, which enables communities to switch from high-pressure sodium lights to high-efficiency LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting. The conversion was completed in May.
The Outdoor Street Lighting Conversion Program is open to all of National Grid’s Upstate New York municipal and governmental streetlighting customers with roadway style fixtures and promotes the adoption of energy-efficient LED technology through the transition of company-owned streetlights.
“We converted the streetlights for long-term cost savings for our residents, which could total around $2,000 annually,” said Town of Batavia highway superintendent Tom Lichtenthal.
“Working with National Grid, there was a little bit of a learning curve in the beginning of this process. But in the end, everything went very smoothly and the installation procedures were completed quickly.”
In the Town of Batavia, the streetlights were converted at a cost of $9 per month over a 10- year period. An incentive that the town received from New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) was built into the streetlighting program that translates to energy savings over time.
LEDs have no filament, produce less heat, and should require less maintenance over time. They require no warmup period to reach full brightness and make it easier for motorists and pedestrians to recognize objects.
“Visually, LEDs produce a distinctly whiter, brighter light compared to the yellow hue cast by traditional high-pressure sodium lights,” said National Grid regional manager Ken Kujawa.
“When working with us, municipalities often consider this difference when specifying which lights to convert, particularly in situations where LED and high-pressure sodium streetlights may be on the same street or in close proximity.”
For LED conversion, NYSERDA offers grant incentives to local governments through its Clean Energy Communities program. More information is available at www.nyserda.ny.gov.
National Grid encourages customers considering LED streetlight conversion to seek additional information from knowledgeable lighting professionals in order to make fully informed decisions.
After hearing his victim call him a monster and a disgusting and sick person, Scott Reed cried as he told Judge Robert Zambito in Genesee County Court this morning that he's come to realize there is nobody to blame but himself for his 10-year course of sexual abuse of a girl in Elba.
Reed came to that realization only after undergoing psychological therapy.
When he was first arrested, and in his first meetings with officials, he blamed his victim for approaching him first.
She would have been less than 11 years old at the time.
"This is all my fault," Reed said. "No matter how I slice and dice it, it all comes back to me. I did this."
In the process, he's destroyed his marriage and broken up his family, according to statements from Reed and attorney Benjamin Bonarigo.
Zambito heard from his victim through a videotape that had been supplied to the court and to the defense prior to today's hearing.
The victim detailed her years of abuse by Reed and, though she said she knew her request for a harsh sentence wouldn't change the outcome of the case, she said Reed should get a year in prison for each of the 10 years he abused her.
The 51-year-old defendant came into court in faded blue jeans, a short-sleeved white dress shirt, and dark tie. He read a written statement and started to sob some as he recalled how he came to realize that he was totally responsible for his own actions and the damage it caused.
"I hope she can get the help she needs and go on with her life," Reed said.
He entered a guilty plea in April to a course of sexual conduct with a sentence cap of six months in jail and 10 years probation, which is exactly what Zambito did.
Mindful of Reed's long-standing employment that he could lose if sent to jail for six months, and the need for Reed to continue providing financially for his family, Zambito said he couldn't justify a weekend incarceration arrangement or shorter term.
"I can't overlook that this went on for 10 years," Zambito said.
The judge said he hoped, given Reed's reputation as a productive employee, that his job will be waiting for him when he gets out or that he will be able to find suitable employment.
Reed was arrested in May 2016 along with his wife Deborah S. Reed, 52, of Elba. Deborah Reed eventually entered a guilty plea in Elba Town Court to endangering the welfare of a child.
Arrested at the same time in Wyoming County was Reed's son Jonathan M. Reed, 23, who was charged with several counts of second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child in the Town of Perry, and with second-degree rape, third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act in the Town of Lancaster.
Jonathan Reed eventually entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
A trial date has been set for Jeremy R. "Boog" Armstrong, 26, of Batavia, who faces six felony counts, including attempted murder, for an alleged assault on a person on Jackson Street in December.
Armstrong is accused of shooting the victim.
The defendant, who is being held without bail, will have until Aug. 21 to decide whether to accept a plea deal rather than go to trial on Nov. 13.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has not publicly disclosed any potential plea offer.
Under a separate indictment, Armstrong is also facing drug charges. Unless there is a plea, Armstrong could go to trial on those charges Nov. 27.
In the attempted murder case, also faces accounts of assault in the first degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, criminal use of a firearm in the third degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
Armstrong and the victim reportedly knew each other.
According to sources, the victim suffered shoulder and chest wounds. He was treated first at UMMC and then transferred to ECMC.
After the incident, Armstrong allegedly fled the area and was located in March in East Hartford, Conn., and taken into custody without incident by East Hartford police.
Press release:
State-of-the-art production equipment from the former Muller/Quaker Dairy greek yogurt plant in Batavia, New York, will be offered at auction Sept. 13 by Harry Davis & Company.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) this week announced the facility — originally constructed by Muller-Quaker to process yogurt via a joint venture formed in 2011 between PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats Co. unit and Germany’s Theo Müller Group — has been purchased by HP Hood LLC. HP Hood will invest more than $200 million over several years to repurpose the 363,000-square-foot, currently idle processing facility to produce extended shelf-life beverages.
Meanwhile, the remaining state-of-the-art production equipment is being offered at auction by Harry Davis & Company.
Leonard Davis, president and senior appraiser for Harry Davis & Company, says this is a rare opportunity for processors to purchase equipment from 2012 or newer that was used for only 18 months of production time.
“This is a virtual showroom of equipment,” he says. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for the dairy world to purchase this equipment.”
He notes in particular the equipment available for production of Greek yogurt, which has soared in popularity at retail.
In addition to getting ultra-modern equipment at significant savings, Davis says it’s a rare opportunity to get equipment of this quality so quickly.
“Typically, if you wanted to get one of these filling machines, you’re looking at 18-24 months of lead time,” he says. “This is an opportunity to acquire like-new equipment well below new cost and have it installed and running in a matter of weeks.”
Some of the featured equipment, valued at $200 million, includes: • Aseptic S/S Silos & Tanks
• Pasteurization, Homogenization & Culture Injection
• Finnah Horizontal Form, Fill & Seal Packaging Lines
• Hamba/Oystar A+F Filling Line
• Kasag Fruit Batch Cooking Plant.Since the former yogurt plant added fruit to some of its varieties, state-of-the-art fruit processing equipment also is available, including a fruit receiving, sorting and cutting system, Davis notes.
“There’s a complete fruit production sub-facility within this plant,” he says. “It’s highly desirable not only for other yogurt manufacturers, but also those involved in jam and other fruit manufacturing.”
Additional general plant and spare parts also are available.
Harry Davis & Company is seeking buyers from North America, South America and Europe. Interested parties can access the auction online at http://bit.ly/MullerHDC. The auction will be held at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time Sept. 13.
Photos provided. (click here for more photos)
Press release:
Richmond Avenue will be closed to traffic at approximately 8am on Tuesday July 25th, between Bogue Avenue and Redfield Parkway, while a water main is repaired in that area.
Residents may experience discolored water or low water pressure in the immediate area until repairs are completed. Residents should ensure that water clarity has returned to normal before using laundry facilities.
Seventeen fire companies from three counties -- Genesee, Orleans, and Monroe -- battled a house fire at 7735 Creamery Road, Bergen, that may have been sparked by a lightning strike.
Neighbors described one and possibly two wall-rattling lightning strikes and thunder claps in the neighborhood this morning followed by a brief power outage.
The call for smoke in the residence came in at 7:58 a.m. and the next call from a neighbor who reported flames.
Bergen Fire Chief Garrett Dean said the fact that flames were reported and that on a weekday morning, fewer volunteer firefighters are available, he immediately called for a second alarm.
The Bergen ladder truck was on scene first and quickly knocked down the blaze inside the rooms on the south side of the house, though the rooms appeared to be largely destroyed and Dean said the stairwell was heavily burned and firefighters couldn't use it to access the second floor.
The difficulty firefighters faced was in the roof. The original house was built in 1850 (it looks like there were one, and possibly two additions), and the older portion is constructed in a way that makes it easier for smoke, heat, and fire to pass to different sections. The roof has been reroofed a couple of times, leading to an extra layer of plywood. Firefighters had a hard time getting to the fire in the roof and ventilating the roof.
The residents were not home when the fire was reported. Dean said there was no indication of pets in the house. No firefighters were injured during the fighting of the fire.
The cause has not been confirmed and we don't have an estimate of damage at this time.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the south end of the house, with the other two-thirds suffering only smoke and heat damage.
A house fire is reported at 7735 Creamery Road, Bergen.
Flames are showing
Bergen fire dispatched.
Second alarm going out.
UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 8:05 a.m.: The City's Fast Team is called to the scene along with mutual aid from Elba, Byron, Le Roy, South Byron and Stafford fire departments. The location is between Cross and North Lake roads.
UPDATE 8:07 a.m.: The second platoon is asked to report to City fire headquarters. A firefighter on scene confirms this is a fully involved structure fire. Two Churchville fire trucks are responding. Mumford is asked to fill in at a fire hall (not clear which one). The second platoon is asked to report to City fire headquarters. A neighbor on Creamery Road says no one is home.
UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: A crew from Le Roy is also asked to fill in at Bergen's fire hall.
UPDATE 8:19 a.m.: Caledonia is asked to stand by in their own quarters. Le Roy is called to the scene emergency mode. Chili's ladder truck out of its Company #2 is asked to fill in at Bergen's Fire Hall.
UPDATE 8:24 a.m.: Route 19 is being shut down at Creamery Road. Caledonia is now called to Le Roy's fire hall.
UPDATE 8:51 a.m.: It's unconfirmed but there's some speculation that this fire was caused by a lightning strike. There are no flames showing at this time but smoke remains heavy. One Mercy ambulance is on scene for rehab and a Byron ambulance has been called in.
UPDATE 10:02 a.m.: Bergen Fire Chief Garrett Dean said the initial call came in to dispatch at 7:58 a.m. and it was reported that smoke was spewing from a vent at the top of the house. A second call reported flames coming from a window. The first crews to arrive on scene quickly knocked down exterior flames and then focused on the interior. Balloon construction, Dean said, along with some remodeling made fighting the blaze challenging. Stairways "were compromised" so firefighters used ladders to fight the fire in the second story. They had a difficult time ventilating the thick roof, which they found had half-inch plywood on top of three-quarter-inch plywood, leaving a thin airspace for smoke to seep in. Dean said most of the fire damage was contained to the south end of the structure; there is smoke and heat damage on the north end of the second floor; the first floor is mostly OK. No pets were known to be on the property and none were found. No one was injured, but due to the humidity, Dean said three ambulances were called in for rehabing firefighters. Power is off, so is gas. Dean said he hasn't talked to investigators and did not know what caused the fire, whether it was lightning or what. Dean said because volunteer fire companies have manpower issues during workdays, many companies were called to the scene early to the working structure fire. A total of 17 companies responded from Genesee, Monroe and Orleans counties.
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