LOCKPORT, N.Y. — On Monday night crews with the City of Lockport Fire Department were dispatched to a commercial structure fire.
Niagara County dispatchers had received a call at 11:17 p.m. regarding an unknown fire in the area of Vine Street and Van Buren Street.
Crews responded and located the fire at 167 Van Buren Street where flames could be seen coming through the door on the the East side of the buildings first floor, and extended to the exterior wall. The flames had burned through the roof on the second floor as well.
The City of Lockport Fire Department was assisted by the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Lockport Police, South Lockport Fire Department, and the Cambria Fire Department.
Crews going into the building were able to only access the second floor at the base of a staircase which had already burned away, making it it nearly impossible to get to. Crews applied water and put out hot spots for 3 hours until the fire was declared put out. Reports say that crews were on scene for a total of 4.5 hours.
The building was an unoccupied business, and it is believed that squatters may have been illegally living inside. There were 20lb propane tanks found inside along with bedding material. There were no people inside at the time of the fire.
No injuries to crews or civilians were reported. At the time of the incident there was no power in the building.
The cause of what started the fire remains under investigation.
Damages to the property is estimated at approximately $115,000 which is 2500 square feet of the space. The building in total is approximately 3000 square feet.
See photos and the full press release attached below.
