At 05:21 hours this morning Buffalo Fire was dispatched to the area of 19th and West Ferry for a reported structure fire. Engine 37 arrived on location within a minute and reported heavy fire from the second floor rear of a large 2 1/2 story. They further updated that they had a possible exposure issue on the number 4 side. 4th Battalion Chief Tom Breski (B-44) requested an extra 2 & 1 (2 engines and a ladder).
At 05:24 hours Chief Breski reported the address as 407 and the number 4 side exposure was going and requested the balance of the Second Alarm. At 05:26 hours Engine 37 reported they were making a push to the second floor. Soon after Engine 19 reported they had a bad hydrant and advised Engine 37 not to make a push. At 05:32 hours Division Chief Brizzalaro reported the first structure is fully involved and collapse was imminent, requested Truck 4 get their bucket up.
At 05:34 hours Chief Brizzalaro ordered the building evacuated and requested a Third Alarm and a minute later requested the crew from Engine 19 back away from the structure and seconds later the roof collapsed. Damage to the structure at 407 Hampshire Street was listed as $350,000, the exposure at 405 Hampshire at $80,000 and $25,000 in damages to the structure and $10,000 to the contents at 124 19th Street.
As of this post there are crews still working at extinguishing hot spots at the fire. The building will likely be demolished. No word on any injuries. The cause is under investigation.