A fire sparked by careless cooking could have set off something much more serious in a Cleveland Avenue home on Thursday.
A neighbor, who spotted smoke and flames coming from a home at 1637 Cleveland Ave. just before noon Thursday, told Falls firefighters that people may have been trapped inside.
“When the first firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the structure,” Falls Fire Chief William MacKay said. “But no one was found inside.”
MacKay said firefighters entered the two-and-half-story wood-frame home and found flames on both the first and second floor. It appears the fire started in the home’s kitchen.
“We believe it was unattended cooking (that caused the fire),” MacKay said.
The chief said there were no working smoke detectors in the home and that may have allowed the fire to intensify before firefighters were called.
MacKay said the rapid spread of the fire could have caused big problems had it reached the attic.
“As we were overhauling (after the fire was extinguished), we discovered a cache of illegal fireworks in the attic,” MacKay said. “The fire was burning right below where the fireworks were. These were not firecrackers, they were high-end fireworks.”
MacKay said if flames had ignited the stash of explosives, the result would have been “pretty spectacular.”
Fire damage has been set at $45,000 and the Red Cross is assisting four people, including adults and children, left homeless by the blaze. MacKay again reminder homeowners and apartment dwellers that the upcoming change to Daylight Savings Time this weekend is an opportune time to check to make sure your smoke detectors are working and put fresh batteries in them.
Falls police also made two arrests at the fire scene. Officers said the men, one of whom is a resident of the house hit by the fire, appeared to be arguing over the blaze and then began fighting.
Martez Berry, 20, 1022 19th St., Apt. 4, was charged with disorderly conduct. Tyrone Clark, 41, 1637 Cleveland Ave., was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Crime
NIAGARA FALLS: Fire rips through Cleveland Avenue home
Firefighters also discover cache of illegal fireworks stored in attic
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