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Fire companies respond to blazes in Falls, Barker

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Fri, Jan 7th 2022 04:35 pm

On Friday, the Niagara Falls Fire Department received a call at 11 a.m. regarding a possible structure fire at 510 6th St. Upon arrival, crews found a two-and-a-half story home with heavy smoke and flames visible from the second floor.

Hand lines were quickly deployed and, upon reaching the second floor, firefighters found heavy fire within the structure that was quickly spreading to the attic. Firefighters were forced out of the building while master water streams were used to dampen the fire. Once it was determined that it was safe to enter the building, firefighters were able to seek out active fire and hot spots, which were extinguished. Crews remained on scene until the fire was completely out. There were no residents inside and no injuries to firefighters.

Earlier in the day, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at 7725 Lake Road. NCSO deputies responded with members of Barker Volunteer Fire Co.

Responding personnel observed large amounts of black smoke and visible flames coming from the top of one of the power plant modules in the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) building. The operations manager on scene, John Mason, stated his employees were cutting a hole into a flange of the building in order to place an anchor and tear down the module. While cutting the hole, the rubber liner on the interior of the building started on fire. The fire spread to the wood platform and plastic chevrons inside the building, creating a large amount of black smoke.

Mason confirmed all employees were evacuated and accounted for.

Several other volunteer fire companies from Niagara and Orleans counties, as well as the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, responded to assist in extinguishing the fire. One firefighter is reported to have suffered an injury during the incident and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The fire is currently extinguished; however, fire companies are remaining on scene during demolition as a precautionary measure. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by Niagara County Origin and Cause.

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