Fire lights up three city neighborhoods

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It was a fiery Queen City night, as flames lit up three Buffalo neighborhoods.

On a day many of us have off, there was no rest for Buffalo's bravest as fires erupted across the Queen City.

Labor Day means most people are not working.

But Buffalo firefighters did just the opposite, battling three house fires Monday morning.

Members of Ladder 15 rescued a man through this second floor bedroom window, just before 7 a.m.

The house is located on Ludington in Buffalo's Lovejoy district.

Officials say it was a difficult rescue, because they believe the man is a hoarder .

"The guy collected a lot of things. It was waiting through waste side piles of collectibles if you have it," said Buffalo Fire Division Chief John Mogavero.

Fire officials say the man was unconscious but emergency crews did get his vitals back.

Two firefighters were injured, but are expected to be OK.

Damages are estimated around $15,000.

"We did have an earlier fire. I came from that fire over at Military and Hertel," said Mogavero.

That fire was just 10 minutes earlier.

Firefighters battled flames pouring out of the second floor and attack of this house.

Fire officials say three people living in the home requested medical assistance but were not taken to the hospital.

About $70,000 in damages were reported.

The third fire happened just before 12:30 Monday morning on Benzinger Street, which is just two houses down from the fire on Ludington.

Officials News 4 spoke with say they are not connected.

Mogavero said, "Our arson investigators were called immediately for this and they are going to be taking a look at it."

Unlike the other two homes, officials say the two-story house was vacant.

"The gas meter was removed I noticed, I'm assuming the electrical was already shut off to it to," said Mogavero.

A mandatory search was done, but no one was found inside.

"There were no floors in certain parts of the first floor. We were running into problems with the building itself, there were no floors in certain in parts of the first floor so it was right down to the basement area, it was right down to the sub-level area so we had dangerous conditions for firefighters," Mogavero said.

No injuries were reported.

News 4 spoke to Sandy, who's older brother is in the decompression chamber because of smoke inhalation. He was rescued from the home on Ludington Street in Buffalo's Lovejoy district.