Fire at Six Homes Kept Firefighters Busy Overnight

BUFFALO – A fire at a total of six houses, three vacant and three occupied on the East Side kept firefighters busy into the early morning hours Monday. The fires were battled on two fronts. The occupied structures were on Lathrop Street, while the vacant houses were on Kosciuszko Street.

Numerous hand-lines were deployed around the structures. The bulk of the fire was in the rear of the houses. As firefighters thought the fires were under control, embers put them back to work. “We thought we contained the fire to five houses, but there were some embers that kind of took wind.” Barry said. Those embers ended up starting the third vacant house on fire. A neighbor alerted firefighters to the fire and it was promptly extinguished.

Firefighters were able to contain the fires from getting too out of hand with the first alarm, plus and extra two-and-one. They were determined to save the occupied houses. “That was our focus, that’s where we put the bulk of our resources. But it’s challenging to have six houses going at the same time. I hope it’s not the beginning of a hot summer in the City of Buffalo.” Division Chief Scott Barry tells Erie County Fire Blotter.

Emergency demolitions have been ordered for the vacant homes. A partial demolition of an occupied home will also be performed. All together, the fire caused $65,000 in damages.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury. Fire Marshall’s are looking into the cause of the blaze.