For the period of Friday September 18, 2009 to Thursday September 24, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 117 calls for assistance.
Saturday September 19 – The lack of any appreciable rainfall may have contributed to a structure being damaged Saturday afternoon. At 2:33 PM fire units from the 10th Street fire station responded to the 400 block of 7th Street for a reported outside fire that involved brush. On arrival they were confronted a fire that although small in size threatened to spread to an adjacent building. Firefighters were able to get water on the fire but not before the building itself suffered minor superficial damage. The fire was extinguished without incident and is currently under investigation. The rainfall earlier this week has not diminished the dry conditions and with the leaves soon to fall from the trees the likelihood of outside fires increases.
Sunday September 20 – Just before 1 PM most of the on-duty city fire resources were sent to a building in the 600 block of 10th Street to investigate smoke in the building. The fire alarm activated and in addition security staff reported visible smoke on the 3rd floor of the building. This information led firefighters to believe that they may be responding to a serious fire that had the potential to present many challenges. Firefighters arrived and did indeed find that the 3rd floor was filling with smoke and began the task of searching for the source. In a short while firefighters were able to determine that the source of the smoke was a heating unit that was malfunctioning. There were no injuries to either firefighters or the occupants of the building and the fire is considered accidental.
Sunday September 20 – Not long after fire units secured from the 10th Street alarm, they were dispatched to the 1300 block of Pierce Avenue for a reported fire in a vacant structure. At 3:38 PM Central Alarm began to receive reports of smoke coming from a building that in august was condemned by the city. Units arrived and found active fire on both the second floor of the home as well as the attic. Firefighters from the Truck Company began to ladder the building and perform ventilation tasks while the Engine Company members deployed hoselines into the building. A total of 4 hoselines were deployed to stop the vertical and horizontal spread of the fire as thick smoke filled the sky. After about 20 minutes firefighters were able to declare the fire under control. Fire Investigators have labeled this fire as being suspicious and are working with the Police Department to identify suspects.
Monday August 21 - The 1300 block of Ashland Avenue was the scene of an early morning fire that once again involved combustibles in close proximity to a structure. At 3:07 AM fire units were sent to a reported outside fire that involved a number of trash cans. On arrival firefighters found the plastic containers in the process of being consumed by the fire with the possibility of fire spreading to the building. The fire was quickly extinguished with the building only suffering slight smoke damage.
Thursday August 24 – Fire lit up the early morning sky as firefighters responded to reports of multiple fires in the 400 block of 27th Street. At 3:04 AM phones lit up at Central Alarm reporting a large fire that possible involved at least two garages. Firefighters responded down the alley and were able to get water on the fire using the tank water carried on the fire apparatus. Damage to the building was in excess of $5,000 and during the course of the investigation it was found someone had attempted to start additional garages in the area on fire. Residents in this area are asked to be vigilant and report suspicious activity and to refrain from placing combustible material in areas that it may be ignited by passer-bys. Members of the Fire Prevention Bureau continue to investigate and ask that anyone with information call them at 286-4728.
