UPDATE:12/6/2020-
The investigation into the fire that occurred at 221 West State Street in the Village of Albion and spread to nearby homes is ongoing.
The investigation so far has reveled that the fire started in the attached garage at 221 West State Street. Because of the initial reports of an explosion and the lack of an obvious cause of an explosion, Bomb Squad Technicians were brought in to make sure the scene was safe. The safety
of the firefighters, who had to finish the overhaul process of the scene, and general public was made sure of by specialist who determined there was no further risk of explosions.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is who the Albion Police use in these situations.
More information will be released in the near future as investigation continues
UPDATE/Press release
On December 5, 2020 at approximately 4:30pm the Orleans County 911 Center received numerous calls reporting an explosion and fire at 221 West State Street in the Village of Albion.
The Albion Police Department and Albion Fire Department were dispatched. Albion Police and Orleans County Sheriffs personnel arrived on scene and found the residence located at 221 West State Street heavily involved in fire. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent residences located at 219 West State Street and 5 East Academy Street.
A male occupant of the 221 West State Street was found at the scene with non-life-threatening injuries consistent from an explosion and subsequent fire. The male was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by COVA Ambulance.
The fire to the homes was extinguished by the Albion Fire Department along with assistance from numerous mutual aid fire companies. The damage to the homes located at 221 West State Street and 5 East Academy Street is extensive.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Albion Police Department with assistance from the Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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A garage fire behind 221 West State street spread to the residence and then to two other residences in the Village of Albion late Saturday afternoon.
When the first fire crews arrived on scene, two explosions could be heard coming from the garage, which was very close to the residence at 221 West State street. The fire quickly spread to the nearby home on West Academy street and the blaze quickly went to a third alarm.
As firefighters battled three different structure fires, a fourth home, located next to 221 West State street also caught fire. According to Lt. John Papponetti with the Albion Fire Department, up to a dozen people could be affected by the fires. The property at 221 West State street was an apartment house, the other two residences were single family homes.
Fire investigators are working to find the cause of the garage fire. Some nearby residents say they heard fireworks during the first few moments of the garage fire. The source of the explosions are being investigated.
According to Lt. Papponetti, no one was injured in the fires and crews will remain on scene for some time.