Investigation Underway in Accident, Car Fire Hours after NY Rookies Graduate

Buffalo investigators are looking into a crash and vehicle fire that allegedly involves rookie firefighters just hours after their graduation.

The fire department celebrated the graduation of 43 new firefighters June 30 and about 4 a.m. the next day, one of the recruits allegedly crashed into a parked vehicle and their vehicle later caught fire. 

Television stationWKBW reported that three rookie firefighters were placed on administrative leave in connection with the crash.

One of the rookies is believed to have been the driver of the Jeep, according to the television station.

In surveillance video obtained by the television station, the Jeep crashed into a parked tow truck after accelerating. The driver is seen exiting the vehicle.

Another video shows two people walking away from the crashed vehicle, shortly after, the Jeep erupts into flames.

A half-hour after, police called the crash in and reported a vehicle fire. They called for the fire department.

“Driver bailed out. No direction or anything," radio traffic indicated. 

Police and fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

"Our office is investigating a motor vehicle crash and the subsequent fire of the vehicle registered to a recent Buffalo Fire Academy graduate that occurred on July 1, 2022, at approximately 4:00 a.m., on Elk Street in the City of Buffalo," the Eric County District Attorney's office said in a statement.