east pembroke

A fire alarm summoned volunteers East Pembroke Fire Department to a home on Slusser Road this morning.

After the alarm went out, a dispatcher said a caller informed him it was only a fire in the oven.

The dispatcher offered that perhaps a turkey caught fire.

When clearing the scene, an East Pembroke chief informed the dispatcher, "it was only a pie," then added, "Happy Turkey day."

"Thank you, and same to you," replied the dispatcher.

A quick response by the East Pembroke Fire Department helped save a house on Indian Falls Road this afternoon when a fire destroyed a detached garage and heat from the fire was causing the siding of the house to melt.

Chief Don Newton said all of the department's trucks rolled within minutes of the alarm.

When Newton arrived on scene driving one of those engines, the garage was already gone. 

One firefighter described it as "rolling flames."

Newton said crews deployed hand lines and acted quickly to protect the house and knock down the fire.

"It is a great save to the house," Newton said. "These guys are awesome. This is what we train for. These guys do a hell of a job for me. I can't thank them enough for being here during the day. Middle of the day, it's tough to get people out and all the units that responded here from all the different departments, I can't thank enough for them being out here."

The house, at 2023 Indian Falls Road, suffered significant heat damage, but no apparent structural damage.

County records list the property owner as Timothy Franclemont.

"It was a good save on the garage as far as I'm concerned," Newton said. "There were a lot of chemicals in the garage, oils, gases, that were burning fiercely, running out of the doors with water on fire."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No injuries were reported.

Assisting East Pembroke were Indian Falls, Oakfield, Pembroke, Darien, Elba and Alabama.

(Initial Post)

A fully involved garage fire with exposures to other property is reported at 2023 Indian Falls Road. Indian Falls and East Pembroke fire departments are responding. The call has gone to a second alarm. Oakfield, Pembroke, Darien, Elba and Alabama are also called in and Town of Batavia is asked to stand by in East Pembroke Fire Hall.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: Corfu Fire Police are to shut down Indian Falls Road at Route 77.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: Howard at the scene reports flames are no longer showing. The garage is a total loss and the nearby house "has significant heat damage (outside)."

A one-car accident, believed to be with minor injuries, is reported at Slusser and Stegman roads. East Pembroke fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: The vehicle hit a guard rail. The location is actually Stegman Road, says dispatch.

An "incendiary facility" on the grounds of Genesee Valley Farms is on fire, according to a caller to emergency dispatch. The address is 3520 S. Main Street Road, East Pembroke. Everyone is out of the structure. East Pembroke fire is responding along with mutual aid from Town of Batavia, Oakfield, Darien, and Alexander. Pembroke and Indian Falls are to stand by. The location is between Wortendyke Road and Lovers Lane Road.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: Howard at the scene reports there is a moderate amount of smoke showing but no flames. The incendiary facility is inside a small out building. Smoke appears to be coming from the eaves.

UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: Fire is knocked down. Some crews are picking up and preparing to leave.

A car has reportedly rolled over the guard rail in the area of 2456 Main Road, East Pembroke.

No word on injuries.

East Pembroke fire an Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:46 a.m.: First responder: Vehicle is down an embankment.

UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: A BLS (basic life support) ambulance is requested, which would indicate minor injuries.

UPDATE 10 a.m.: Two patients extricated.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 396.9. East Pembroke fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: One person has a broken ankle.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 397.2 Unknown injuries. East Pembroke fire and Mercy Medic #1 are responding.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: The Thruway Authority reports the driver is out of the vehicle and has minor injuries.

The two drivers reportedly involved in an ATV crash Sunday night have both been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Charles R. Chatley, 26, of 2392 Kilian Road, Corfu, was also charged with unlawful operation of an ATV on a public highway.

Stephen R. Smelski, 35, of West Main Street, Batavia, is also charged with unlawful operation of an ATV on a public highway and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Witnesses say Smelski was the most seriously injured of the four people involved in the accident and he's the one victim still hospitalized, though he's listed in good condition at ECMC.

An East Pembroke Fire Department 1st assistant chief and Genesee County emergency dispatcher, Smelski was reportedly taken by private vehicle to UMMC following the accident and later transported to ECMC.

The accident was reported at 11:09 p.m. Sunday in the area of 2069 E. Main St., East Pembroke.

Also injured were passengers Kristina Rumble, 26, and Brenda Smelski, 37.

Brenda Smelski was treated and released at ECMC, as was Chatley.  Rumble, who was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight, was released from the hospital two days ago.

Chatley is a 2nd assistant chief with East Pembroke.

The accident occurred the same date as the annual East Pembroke Mud Races, hosted by the fire department, but the accident was hours after the event ended and at least a mile from the mud pits. 

The accident was investigated by deputies Jason Saile and James Diehl and Sgt. Eric Seppala.

A town tractor that was mowing rolled over into a ditch on Rose Road near Wortendyke Road. The rider has minor injuries. The tractor was, or is, smoking. East Pembroke and Town of Batavia fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A responder reports the tractor is no longer smoking and the rider is up and walking around.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: Mutual aid from Town of Batavia is cancelled.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service. The rider was transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: Law enforcement at the scene reports the tractor has been removed from the roadway.

Sunday, the East Pembroke Fire Department, hosted its annual mud races in the pit area behind the fire hall.

Don't think years from now, "oh, I wish I had a copy of that photo." To purchase prints, click here.

An ATV accident with multiple people injured is reported in the area of 2069 Main Road, East Pembroke.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Three or four people are injured, with a possible serious injury.

Mercy Flight being put on standby.

UPDATE 11:21 p.m.: Town of Batavia fire requested to the scene to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight at Pembroke Primary School.

UPDATE 12:45 a.m.: There are two confirmed injuries. A female passenger was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight. A driver was taken to ECMC by Mercy EMS. Sgt. Eric Seppala said there may have been a second ATV involved in the accident. The second ATV left the scene prior to law enforcement arriving. It's unknown if anybody on that ATV was injured. It's unclear at this point what happened, though it appears the ATVs were on the roadway. The investigation is continuing. Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000. 

UPDATE Monday morning: A press release from the Sheriff's Office states that two four-wheel ATVs collided. Both ATVs had a driver and passenger. The driver and passenger of the second ATV were taken by private vehicle to UMMC and later transfered to ECMC for treatment. No names were released. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

A two-car accident, unknown injuries, is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 399.1. East Pembroke fire and Mercy medics are responding.

A power line is down and blocking the roadway at 3644 S. Main Street Road. Law enforcement on scene requests East Pembroke Fire Police to close a portion of the road so National Grid can make repairs.

The East Pembroke Mud Races are on a Sunday this year -- this Sunday.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. The first race is 12:30 p.m.

Registration fees: $15 per class, $5 for 11 and under, $5 for each additional class and racers still pay admission. 

Admission is $10, with 11 and under free. Pit admission is $12.

You can enter a raffle to win the four-wheeler shown above. 

Pictured with the 2014 Cao Polaris 570cc are James Gayton and Dale Lewter.

I went out this afternoon to see if I could get a photo of the accident on the Thruway in East Pembroke. There was no vantage point for an accident photo, but I did come back with three pictures from Slusser Road.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 396. East Pembroke fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: There are reports of entrapment.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Mercy Flight #7 is called to the scene -- availability is checked.

UPDATE 3:44 p.m.: Town of Batavia Engine 24 just arrived, too.

UPDATE 3:53: Two ambulances will be needed.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: Three children are being transported to Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo. The assignment is back in service.

Voters in the East Pembroke Fire District today approved on a 167-45 vote the construction of a new fire hall for their community.

The vote authorizes the district to proceed with the $3 million project, which will provide volunteer firefighters with a new 11,128 square-foot facility.

The building will contain not only more room for existing fire trucks, but rooms for hose drying, decontamination and air packs. 

As a result of the vote, property owners in the district will see their tax assessment increase from the current $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value to a maximum of $1.98.

The new hall will replace an aging and structurally deficient building that has seen its better days.

A 16-year-old male lost consciousness for a little over a minute after an ATV accident on the track at Area 51. The boy's helmet came off, but no mention of whether this occured before or after impact. He is coming to consciousness. Mercy Flight is being dispatched to the scene. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are also responding.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to ECMC.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Responders are back in service.