For the period of Friday June 20, 2008 to Thursday June 27, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 99 calls for assistance.
Saturday June 21 - At 3:41 PM multiple fire units were dispatched for a man who reportedly fell 50 feet in the gorge. Conflicting information was given by callers and it was unsure exactly where the victim was located. Some of the callers reported the person to be below the Discovery Center and still others reported him to be located in the area of the Whirlpool Bridge. Parks Police Officers eventually located the victim in the area of the pump station located below the Aquarium. The victim appeared to be suffering form some lacerations and had some difficulty in responding to questions. Fortunately the victim was located in an area that afforded vehicular access and once immobilized was able to be transported out via ambulance.
Sunday June 22 – The rear of a commercial building in the 1700 block of Pine Avenue was the scene of an intentionally set fire that was reported just after 1 AM. Firefighters arrived to find that someone had set fire to the dumpster toward the rear of the property. The fire was able to be quickly controlled and did not spread to an adjacent dumpster or nearby fencing.
Sunday June 22 – Downtown fire units were dispatched for a fire in the 1300 block of Ashland avenue at 10:19 PM. Units arrived to find light smoke in the structure and the remnants of a fire that the drapes in one room of the home. Firefighters made sure that there was no extension from the fire and removed smoke from the structure. Due to the suspicious nature of the fire both Fire Investigators as well as members of the NFPD Arson unit are continuing to investigate.
Tuesday June 24 – The 400 block of 10th Street was the scene of a kitchen fire that was reported at the noon hour. Once again unattended cooking was to blame for this fire which caused minimal damage. Residents are reminded that during the warmer months, wind blowing in through open windows can blow nearby combustibles onto the stove which in turn are ignited.
As we go into the July Fourth holiday week, residents are reminded that New York State law prohibits the use of any type of firework without a permit. The Niagara Falls Fire Department encourages all residents to enjoy the fireworks that will be presented at the Casino by the Seneca Nation on the 3rd as well as the city fireworks at Hyde Park on the 4th.
