The missing fire-fighter died in the 745 Main Street 4-alarm blaze, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown confirmed.
The mayor said in a tweet: “I am deeply saddened to report that a member of the Buffalo Fire Department has lost his life while bravely fighting the four-alarm fire on Main Street in Downtown Buffalo today. I ask everyone to keep the family and fellow firefighters in your prayers.”
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The firefighter’s identity was not released. The announcement was made after the Rochester Fire Department said it was sending crews west to assist.
The department said resources have been requested for search, rescue, and recovery operations through the New York State Mutual Aid System.
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The Rochester Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit has already been deployed to Buffalo with “specialized equipment and technically trained personnel.” The department said it may send more resources if requested.
The Main Street building where the fire occurred is very unstable, which hampered efforts to recover the firefighter, said Fire Commissioner William Renaldo at a press conference soon after 1 pm.
The cause of the fire was under investigation and the department was investigating a report that workers had been seen with torches near the building, said Renaldo. The building seemed to be undergoing renovations and fire investigators were looking to interview those workers, the commissioner said.
The fire was reported at 10.08 am at 745 Main, between Tupper and Goodell streets. Destroyed in the blaze was a costume shop DC Theatricks, which listed its address as 747 Main.
The building is owned by the former state senator and congressman, Chris Jacobs. He owns five other properties on the block heading south to Tupper Street and said he had been looking to acquire the building for over 15 years before finally succeeding.
Several firefighters and law enforcement officers gather near the scene in the hours after the blaze. Buffalo Diocese Bishop Michael W Fisher arrived at the location shortly after 1 pm.
