fire

A fire inside a box truck carrying fireworks was "roaring pretty good" on South Lake Road in Pembroke when firefighters arrived on scene, said Indian Falls Assistant Chief Ed Mileham.

The call initially came in as a firework striking a vehicle and starting a fire but as it turned out the fire started inside a truck that was returning to Genesee County from a fireworks show last night in Akron.

The driver is unsure how the fire started, Mileham said.

The truck was loaded with launch canisters stacked in the front of the truck and unused fireworks in the back of the truck.

Exploding fireworks lit up the neighborhood and blew out the passenger side panel of the truck, the back roll-up door, and the roof. The cab was undamaged, probably because of the stacked canisters in the box stacked between the fireworks and the cab, Mileham said.

The driver was rolling on Route 5 through Pembroke when he spotted some sparks in his rearview mirror. He stopped to inspect, heard some bangs, and thought "I need to get out of here," Mileham said. He started yelling for residents to call 9-1-1.

Pembroke fire was first on scene with a truck that had a deck gun, which allowed firefighters to spray water on the fire from a distance.  

"The flames just roaring out of the back of the truck, almost hitting the power lines in the area," Mileham said.

National Grid was called to the scene and the power lines and a transformer about 20 feet away appeared to be undamaged.

"It was not a normal truck fire or car fire where you go up, put some water on it, put it out, and that's hit," Mileham said.

There was smoking debris up and down the roadway for dozens of feet, Mileham said, as well as in residential yards. No secondary fire was started by the fireworks, however.

Pembroke and Indian Falls were assisted at the scene by Corfu, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and Dadswell, which towed the truck and cleaned up the debris.

Video taken with a home security camera submitted by a reader.

UPDATE: Here's another video from James Garrett.

A vehicle fire is reported in the area of 8783 S. Lake Road, Pembroke.

A firework reportedly hit the vehicle.

Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: Corfu Fire Police requested to shut off traffic at Cohocton on South Lake. A responding unit is standing back because "it's still exploding." National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:57 p.m.: A neighbor told a chief that the vehicle was full of fireworks. "Until about 60 seconds ago it was still exploding," the chief informs dispatchers. (If any Pembroke residents took photos or video, please email to howard@thebatavian.com)

UPDATE 12:38 a.m.: A box truck is apparently involved. It will require "massive cleanup."

UPDATE 1:30 a.m.: Pembroke, Indian Falls, Corfu, back in service.

A mailbox is reportedly on fire in the area of 5976 Clinton Street Road, Stafford.

The caller was a passerby and said the location was between Westbrook Road and Mill Road.

Stafford fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: A second caller reports the location is at former Oderkirk Farm. A chief just arriving on scene confirms a mailbox on fire.

UPDATE 11:13 p.m.: The fire is out.

What may have started as a porch fire early Monday morning at 4225 Gilhooly Road, and was dispatched as a porch fire, turned out to be a fully involved house fire, said Alexander Fire Chief Marshall Merle.

The house was a total loss.

All occupants, at least four and maybe five people, Merle said, were out of the house and safe by the time fire crews arrived on scene.

There was no mention of any pets in the residence, Merle said.

No firefighters were injured during the incident. 

Merle said the fire started in the porch area. It's unclear if it started outside or inside the residence but investigators are leaning toward thinking it started inside, he said.  The cause is currently undetermined.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family. The Salvation Army responded to provide refreshments to the firefighters. Bethany's auxiliary also responded.

The biggest challenge in fighting the fire was water supply. Merle requested several tankers to the scene. Once on scene, firefighters were able to locate a pond on the property, which the fire department did not previously know about, and two engines were employed to pump water for fire suppression.

Responding to the fire were Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Darien, East Pembroke, Stafford, and Pavilion. The City's Fast Team also responded. A crew from the Wyoming Correctional Facility assisted with scene cleanup.

Photos Courtesy Todd Rapp.

The porch fire at 4225 Gilhooly Road, Alexander, has rekindled. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: The Alexander assignment is back in service.

A porch fire is reported at 4225 Gilhooly Road, Alexander.

All occupants are out of the house.

Initial response, Alexnder fire and Town of Batavia fire. An additional response requested from the City's Fast Team, Bethany, Darien and East Pembroke.

UPDATE 3:20 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:22 a.m.: The City's Third Platoon is recalled to headquarters to stand by.

UPDATE  3:28 a.m.: Tankers from Stafford and Pavilion requested to the scene.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 3:44 a.m.: A crew from Attica Correctional Facility is asked to respond for cleanup.

UPDATE 3:59 a.m.: An EMS unit out of Attica will be requested. They are going to bring a second tanker to the back of the property to access a pond they're drawing water from. They are also filling tankers using water from Baskin Farms on Creek Road in Batavia. National Grid has an ETA of 25 minutes.

UPDATE 4:06 a.m.: Bethany's auxiliary will be supplying refreshments.

UPDATE 4:09 a.m.: Command reports fire is under control.

UPDATE 4:21 a.m.: Command calls for a fire investigation team to the scene. National Grid has isolated power to the residence at the road.

UPDATE 4:33 a.m.: Some tankers at the road are being sent back to their stations. There are two tankers at the residence's pond if needed. Bethany's auxiliary brought refreshments.

UPDATE 4:37 a.m.: Bennington is standing by in Alexander's fire hall.

UPDATE 4:40 a.m.: Pavilion is back in service.

UPDATE 4:52 a.m.: Stafford is back in service.

UPDATE 4:54 a.m.: Wyoming Correctional is responding with a five-minute ETA to assist with cleanup.

UPDATE 5:05 a.m.: The Salvation Army was contacted about providing refreshments; they are ready with them.

A third rekindle of hay bales at 9420 Warsaw Road prompts Le Roy Fire Department to respond. The location is between Perry and Cole roads.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: "It's going to be the sawdust that is burning," says command, not the hay bales.

Le Roy's brush truck is called to the scene of Monday's barn fire at 9420 Warsaw Road. They are asked to proceed in nonemergency mode.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: The hot spots are out and the crew is picking up and preparing to leave.

A house attached to a barn that caught fire at a quarter horse farm in Le Roy on Monday has been declared a total loss, according to Joshua Pfendler, first assistant chief for Le Roy Fire Department.

Pfendler said some personal items and a few photographers were saved from the front of the house.

He noted that at the time he spoke with local media on Monday, the house, which had a firewall between the barn and the living quarters, appeared to be in much better shape than it actually was.

Previously: Barn fire reported on Warsaw Road, Le Roy

Le Roy Fire Department's brush truck is called back to the site of yesterday's barn fire, which is rekindling. The location is 9420 Warsaw Road, between Perry and Cole roads.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: The rekindle is extinguished. Le Roy is back in service.

A barn fire is reported at 9420 Warsaw Road, Le Roy.

There is heavy smoke and flame.

Le Roy fire, along with Bergen fire and the City of Batavia's Fast team is on scene.

Stafford and Pavilion also dispatched.

UPDATE(S) By Billie 8:13 a.m.: Alexander and Darien also requested for mutual aid. Town of Batavia is on scene and Elba is asked to fill in at the town's Station #2. Brockport is called to fill in at Le Roy's hall. The utilities have been shut off to the barn.

UPDATE 8:50 a.m.: This is a Quarter horse farm. No animals or people were injured. Horses were corralled safely. There was a riding arena inside the barn and lots of hay. Firefighters will be on scene for a while still extinguishing the smoldering hay. The residence abuts the barn and the fire did some damage to it but it was minimal because of a firewall between the structures.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: Wyoming Correctional Facility is contacted and asked to provide inmates to help pick up fire hoses. Command is initially told they are unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions. Command says they were told inmates would be available and asks dispatch to double-check. It is confirmed a correctional crew is available and will be brought in within the next two hours.

UPDATE 9:37 a.m.: Fire is contained. Doing overhaul.

UPDATE 10:04 a.m.: Wyoming Correctional en route.

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: The Le Roy auxiliary is en route with refreshments.

A large bonfire is reported in the city that is close to a house or garage in the area of 14 Raymond Ave. City fire and police are responding.

A camper fire is reported at the Timberline Lake RV Park at 8150 Vallance Road, Le Roy.

It's at Lot 32B.

Le Roy fire responding.

UPDATE 1:07 a.m.: Auxilary requested to the scene for refreshments.

City fire is on scene of a small porch fire at 202 S. Swan St., Batavia.

No information is available at this time on the cause of the fire.

A van is reportedly on fire in the parking lot of D&R Depot in Le Roy.

It's believed the van is unoccupied.

Le Roy fire responding.

Lake Street Road is being shut down at Mill Street.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: Fire is out.

A "large" grass fire is reported in the area of Clinton Street Road and Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, near the roadway.

Stafford fire is responding.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: The fire is an attended controlled burn. Stafford is standing down.

A structure fire is reported at 4092 Lockport Road, Elba.

Elba fire dispatched.

A first responder reports smoke showing.

Fire police are blocking Lockport Road at Route 98.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: Oakfield fire requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: Byron to stand by at Elba's hall.

There is reportedly smoke and flames coming from wires and pole in the parking lot next to City Church on East Main Street, Batavia, across from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

City fire dispatched.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: National Grid will need to cut power to the utility pole. This could cause the traffic light at Main and Center to go dark. Batavia PD requested to provide traffic control.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: Power is out in the area.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: The traffic signal is "back up and running." 

A vehicle fire in the driveway with several exposures is reported at 6485 Byron Holley Road, Byron. It is near a trailer.

The location is between North Byron Road and North Bergen Road.

Byron Fire Department is in command and South Bryon arrived for mutual aid. Elba is en route with fire police for traffic control.

Command calls for Route 237 and North Byron Road to be shut down.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: Byron command advises Elba that fire police are needed at Pumpkin Hill -- Route 237 at Byron Road, and also at Searles and North Bergen roads.

UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: Command also wants fire police stationed at Byron and Warboys roads. Bergen is standing by in Byron's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: Mercy medics are called to the scene in nonemergency mode.

UPDATE May 20: The daughter-in-law of the vehicle owner sent us these photos of the burned-out vehicle and an email identifying it as a brand-new Buick Encore with only 300 miles on it.

She wrote: "Owner, Arnold Brakenbury, 81, of Cockram Road, Byron, had just turned off the vehicle and exited moments before it burst into flames. This is a 2021 model, which was not part of GM’s recent massive recall for a part causing transmission oil leaks and a number of vehicle fires. Perhaps GM did not resolve the problem, as it claimed, and should expand its recall?"

A fully involved garage fire is reported at 202 Liberty St., Batavia.

City fire on scene.

UPDATE May 19, 1:45 p.m.:  Press release from City Fire.

At 8:11 pm on May 18, 2021 the City of Batavia Fire Department was dispatched to a reported garage on fire located at 202 Liberty Street. First arriving units were on-scene at 8:15 pm.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fully involved garage fire with direct flame impingement upon the adjacent home. Responding crews made an aggressive exterior attack on the garage and a concurrent interior attack containing and extinguishing the fire to a single room on the second floor. The situation was call under control by on-scene fire command at 8:39 pm.

The home was occupied with three residents and one pet that were able to self-escape prior to the fire department’s arrival. Due to the intensity of the fire, the home received significant smoke, heat and water damage. 

At this time the City of Batavia’s Fire Investigation Team are investigating the fire to determine the origin and cause. 

City Fire was assisted at the scene by the City of Batavia Police Department, Bureau of Inspection along with Elba and Alexander Fire Departments. Additional assistance was provided by the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS and Genesee County Emergency Dispatch.

All City Fire Department units were back in service at 10:58 pm.