Smoke signals scrapyard fire

Local News

Related Photos

By Kevin Purdy The Niagara Gazette Tue May 09, 2006, 11:30 AM EDT

TOWN OF NIAGARA — A fuel explosion caused a junkyard fire that burned and smoldered for more than an hour Monday, sending a cloud of black smoke into the air that could be seen as far away as Fort Erie, Ont.

Dozens of firefighters from at least four companies responded to Garlock’s Auto Parts at 2360 Maryland Ave. after receiving an emergency call shortly before 1 p.m. that a fire had started at a compactor and set fire to other scrap materials nearby.

A specialty “foam” truck from the nearby Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was called in to contain the blaze, which consumed tires, petroleum byproducts from scrapped cars and other hard-to-contain refuse. Firefighters and others helping at the scene said the fire triggered small explosions as it reached fuel tanks and other materials throughout the yard.

Peter Borys, public affairs representative for the 914th Airlift Wing, said its firefighters reported more than 50 cars were burning when they arrived at the scene.

The exact origin of the fire was still under investigation Monday night. While some police and fire officials said at the scene that a car had exploded inside the compactor, the owner of the yard said a fuel line on the compactor itself had broken and flared up.

Nobody was hurt or injured from the fire, but a Niagara Active Hose firefighter was taken for treatment of an ankle injury. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Niagara County Health Department were called to check the scene for run-off water or other potential hazards.

The actual flames lasted for about 30 minutes, according to Dan Hosie, chief of Niagara Active Hose. At about 2:20 p.m., the black cloud escaping the yard had turned mostly white, and the fire was declared “knocked down” by the responding fire companies.

Active Hose responders stayed on scene until about 6 p.m. Firefighters from Grand Island stayed on-call at Active Hose’s station throughout the afternoon.

“I think it went pretty well, considering the amount of material that was burning,” Hosie said. “It took awhile, but we got it under control.”

Daniel Garlock, owner of the auto yard, said he had been eating lunch inside his business’ office with another employee when the fire started.

“We emptied all the extinguishers we had, chemical and water,” Garlock said. “We couldn’t refill the water extinguishers because there’s no running water down the whole street.”

Garlock said his business, which his father Alan Garlock opened in 1956, would be open and operating today. Garlock’s junkyard license was denied for renewal last month for non-compliance with town regulations, but could be renewed at another meeting.

“People say we’re tough on these junkyards when it comes to regulations, but this is a pretty good example of why it’s necessary,” said Town of Niagara Supervisor Steven Richards.

Smoke from the fire was visible on the Niagara Thruway in Buffalo, and callers from Fort Erie, Ont. reported seeing the dark cloud.

Firefighters from Niagara Active Hose, the Upper Mountain Fire Company, Lewiston Fire Company No. 2 and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station assisted at the scene, along with Town of Niagara police, New York State Police troopers, and local EMS responders.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

BODY FOUND: Falls police ID missing woman
Falls Police say the body of a woman, found in dense brush in a field off of 102nd Street, is that of 67-year-old Judith Burr.

February 8, 2012 4 Photos
SLIDESHOW: Volunteers Search for Judith Volunteers gathered on 102nd Street in Niagara Falls to search for the missing Judith Burr, 67. Shortly after the search began, the body of Judith was found in the dense brush just east of 102nd Street.
February 8, 2012 1 Photo
NCIDA declines One Niagara's request for tax help
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Marijuana mystery on Michigan Avenue solved
The mystery surrounding a Michigan Avenue marijuana grow house has been solved.
And a Falls man has been charged with running the pot farm that was found there in July.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Crack dealer taken down on Orleans Avenue
Falls Narcotics Division detectives took down an Orleans Avenue crack dealer, literally, on Tuesday.

February 7, 2012 2 Photos
Historic stone chimney move could be costly
City officials are dealing with some sticker shock after receiving an initial estimate for what it might cost to move an historic stone chimney to a new location.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
One Niagara tax request up for vote
The owners of the One Niagara building may find out today if they qualify for a tax break through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.
NCIDA board Chairman Henry Sloma said One Niagara’s application for tax assistance will be discussed during today’s board meeting.

February 7, 2012
Search planned for missing Falls woman
Loved ones are organizing a search party for 67-year-old Judith Burr who has been missing since Friday.

February 7, 2012
Bill would ban offenders on school buses
The New York State Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would ban certain criminal offenders from working on school buses.

February 7, 2012
No new vet for Niagara SPCA
It was one step forward and one step back for the SPCA of Niagara on Monday.
Just 72 hours after announcing the hiring of a new veterinarian for its troubled shelter, the SPCA board changed its mind and decided not to bring Lewiston vet Dr. Grant Hobika on board.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?