Fierce flames tear through CSX property

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Fierce flames tore through a building on the CSX property in Buffalo, Tuesday night.

Many people who saw the fire say thick dark smoke could be seen miles away. The fire was so intense, now all that's left of the large vacant building is rubble.

Buffalo Firefighters headed to the city's east side to battle a blaze at an old CSX warehouse. Due to the size of the vacant building, it made it a difficult one to fight.

  >>  Photos: Flames shoot into sky on city's east side

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield said, “Large vacant warehouse, very labor intensive. We have a third alarm, and extra companies here today.”

The fire happened on Reiman and North Ogden Streets. At one point, there were reports of propane tanks in the building.

Whitfield said, “Yeah we had some reports of that, so we immediately took some precautionary actions, put water on the tanks and kept them cool. Making sure no fire impinged upon the tanks.”

With the third alarm called, manpower became another concern.

“Again third alarm fire, extra companies here, we've depleted out resources in the city. We had to call back companies. Recall companies in, for overtime, to make sure the rest of the city is staffed,” said Whitfield.