Falls firefighters out on a routine ride to check on hydrants were pressed into action Wednesday morning to battle a suspicious blaze in a home in the 1900 block of East Falls Street.
“Engine 8 was out checking hydrants and doing neighborhood familiarization and they came across it,” Falls Fire Chief William MacKay said. “They were driving along and all of a sudden smoke was belching and billowing across the street.”
Firefighters were also confronted with occupants of the two-story, two-apartment home scrambling out of the dwelling to safety.
“The downstairs occupants were able to get out,” MacKay said. “Upstairs, three adults and a child were able to get on to a porch and then the roof and we got ladders up to them to bring them down.”
MacKay said much of the fire was confined to the rear of the home at 1947 East Falls St.
“It appears to have started in the rear stairwell, between the first and second floors,” the chief said.
Investigators have declared the blaze “suspicious.”
“We have some samples out for forensic analysis,” MacKay said. “It’s classified as suspicious at this point.”
Damage has been estimated at $55,000 and the structure has been condemned. The seven occupants of the home are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Crime
NIAGARA FALLS: Seven left homeless after fire
Falls Street blaze discovered by firefighters
- Crime
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BLOTTER: Police reports published Feb. 7
A Falls man was arrested on drunken driving and other charges after a traffic stop in the 400 block of Main Street at 5:20 a.m. Friday.
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BLOTTER: Police reports published Feb. 6
Falls police had nothing new to report Sunday in the case of a missing 67-year-old LaSalle woman.
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Nightclub stabbing investigated in Lockport
Lockport Police are investigating the stabbing of a man at a nightclub early Sunday morning.
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Horse in ’bad shape’ seized from Somerset property
Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Carmen Road Saturday afternoon after a horse was found laying in a ditch without any restraints or supervision.
The person that found the horse tied it up, brought it some apple carrots and water and called police. They said it appeared the animal was malnourished and emaciated. -
Falls police looking for missing woman
Police are searching for a 67-year-old LaSalle woman who went missing Friday.
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BLOTTER: Police reports published Feb. 5
Howard C. Irish, 55, 617 18th St., lower apartment, was charged with petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
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DWI suspect hit sign on way to KFC
A Niagara Falls man was arrested for DWI and other traffic charges Friday night after striking two traffic signs on the Twin Cities Memorial Highway on his way to pick up some fried chicken.
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Woman arrested during DWI stop
An Amherst woman was arresetd by City of Tonawanda police and charged with DWI early Saturday.
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BLOTTER: Police reports published Feb. 4, 2012
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‘Person of interest’ in recent spate of robberies strikes out Thursday
The man police are looking for in at least two other city robberies of Wilson Farms stores tried to strike again Thursday night.
This time it was the Wilson Farms location at Fourth and Niagara streets — but the result was different. - More Crime Headlines
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