Fatal House Fires - Gates, NY 1/20/12
January 20, 2012 - Gates firefighters responded for two house fires within an hour of each other tonight. The first fire on Avacado Lane was reported just before 5:00pm. While enroute, crews were advised there was possibly a person trapped in the basement of the home. The victim was removed by firefighters during a primary search of the building but was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene.
The second fire on Varian Lane was reported at 5:44pm, and the first arriving Gates police officer reported the structure was fully involved. Due to much of the Gates manpower being tied up at the first fire, multiple mutual aid companies responded to this fire. City of Rochester Engine 3 was first on location reporting a working fire, and further stated the hydrant in front of the house was frozen. A second hydrant was used, and in the end nearly a half mile of supply line had to be laid to a 3rd hydrant to maintain water supply. The fire extended across a breezeway into the attached garage and at one point firefighters had to be evacuated from the structure. Unfortunately, during a secondary search, a victim was found deceased in a part of the home that was not structurally sound.
Read MoreThe second fire on Varian Lane was reported at 5:44pm, and the first arriving Gates police officer reported the structure was fully involved. Due to much of the Gates manpower being tied up at the first fire, multiple mutual aid companies responded to this fire. City of Rochester Engine 3 was first on location reporting a working fire, and further stated the hydrant in front of the house was frozen. A second hydrant was used, and in the end nearly a half mile of supply line had to be laid to a 3rd hydrant to maintain water supply. The fire extended across a breezeway into the attached garage and at one point firefighters had to be evacuated from the structure. Unfortunately, during a secondary search, a victim was found deceased in a part of the home that was not structurally sound.
