Rescues Made at Buffalo, NY, 3-Alarm Apartment Fire
Samantha Christmann
The Buffalo News, N.Y.
(TNS)
Four people were taken to the hospital Saturday afternoon after a serious fire at an apartment complex in North Buffalo.
Witnesses on the scene said one man – who the city later confirmed had been taken to the hospital with a broken leg – jumped out of a window to escape the blaze.
"In the process of doing a 360 to get an assessment of what was going on, there was a couple people that were hanging out of windows already," said Division Fire Chief Dan Bossi. "Obviously our first priority is life saving, so one company was starting to lay a hose line, while our first truck companies on scene were starting to throw ladders."
At least two people were rescued from the building on ladders, 15 people were treated on the scene and four people were transported to the hospital. In addition to the broken leg, two of them were hospitalized for respiratory issues and one other person was pregnant.
The fire broke out at 2:21 p.m. on the third floor of the multi-unit apartment complex Delaware Arms, at 2439 Delaware Ave., just north of Tacoma Avenue. The H-shaped building contains 44 apartment units, according to real estate website LoopNet.com. The fire was contained to the "upper-left quadrant of the H" in a rear apartment and extended through the roof, Bossi said.
Fire personnel were alerted to the blaze via a 911 call made shortly before 2:30 p.m. Videos of the blaze showed flames and large volumes of dense, black smoke billowing from the roof of the apartment complex as firefighters positioned above the roof shot water down toward the fire.
"At two points in time, we did have to pull all the companies out just because of the volume of fire, and we knocked it down from the outside with a couple aerial ladders," Bossi said. "Then we advanced again, and then the fire had extended to another apartment, and we had to do the same thing for about 10 minutes just to knock a bulk of the fire down."
It took two hours, but fire crews were then able to get the fire under control. About 80 firefighters in total responded to the scene.
Bossi called it an "absolutely extraordinary effort" by everyone on the scene. Often, when a third fire company is called in, it will remain staged at the scene in case it is needed. But at Saturday's fire, all hands were on deck, with a total of about 80 firefighters engaged and used multiple times, and 20 firetrucks on the scene.
"Everyone went through at least three tanks of air, which is pushing the limits of what we did," Bossi said. "But everyone did a fabulous job. It was extraordinary that we were able to save as much of the building that we did."
Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon commended the first responders.
"Nearly 80 of our firefighters responded to the scene, working tirelessly under intense conditions to contain the blaze, rescue residents, and protect everyone in and around the building," Scanlon said. "Their swift action led to the successful rescue of several residents, who received immediate care from emergency medical personnel on site. Their dedication and heroism exemplify the very best of public service. I’m grateful that no firefighters sustained serious injuries while working under such dangerous conditions."
A call for another fire elsewhere in the city came in while firefighters were battling the blaze.
"We also have to keep that in mind, that balance of taking what we need for here, but also still being able to protect the rest of the city," Bossi said.
Officials estimated the damage at $2 million, with another $500,000 in damage to apartment contents.
The fire displaced people in 16 units, city spokesman Mike Read said. Tenants in some portions of the building will likely be able to return Sunday or Monday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, which could take hours or weeks, Bossi said.
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