Avoca, New York Firefighters Injured in House Fire

March 8, 2005
Two local firefighters were injured and a family was left homeless Saturday night when fire broke out at a Derrick Road residence.
Avoca, NY -- Two local firefighters were injured and a family was left homeless Saturday night when fire broke out at a Derrick Road residence.

Prattsburgh Fire Chief Daniel Wetmore said a wood stove likely started the blaze that destroyed the two-story house at 9411 Derrick Road.

The fire started at about 8:30 p.m. when material sitting next to a wood stove ignited, Wetmore said.

A Bath and an Avoca firefighter were rushed to the Ira Davenport hospital and treated for injuries sustained while battling the blaze, Wetmore said. The injuries were not life threatening and the identity of the firefighters was not released.

William Derick and his family were able to escape the burning house without injury, said Avoca Fire Chief Robert Bossie. A cat and a dog were still missing Sunday afternoon.

Seven area fire departments fought for more than an hour to extinguish the blaze.

"By time we got to the scene there wasn't any chance of saving the home," Wetmore said. "It was fully involved."

The Red Cross Disaster Action Team was called in to meet the emergency needs of the family for food, clothing, shelter and medical supplies.

Firefighters from Prattsburgh, Avoca, Bath, Hammondsport, Wallace, Kanona and Pulteney responded to the scene. About 50 firefighters fought the blaze for more than five hours.

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