Garbage fire leads to two-alarm blaze

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Firefighters responded to the scene of a two-alarm warehouse blaze along Leslie Street, near Genesee Street, in Buffalo. Flames erupted at the building around 2:15 a.m. at two warehouses.

Fire officials say it started as a small garbage fire, and when crews arrived they realized they needed extra manpower.  Buffalo Fire Division Chief John Mogavaro said about 60 firefighters were called to the scene.

Fire trucks and water lines were down Leslie and Genesee Streets, and Bailey Avenue. An engineer was also called to the scene, to increase the water pressure enough so it could reach the structure.

At one point, three ladder trucks were fighting the blaze for up to two hours.  Mogavaro said that the fire was so large, it completely destroyed both warehouses.

Mogavaro said the flames reached 70 feet in the air, "It pretty much took off, and before we knew it was a large bonfire. Eighty by one hundred foot bonfire."

Flames from the fire reached Colorado Street and started a small fire that was put out quickly.

During the blaze at the two warehouses, one firefighter suffered a leg injury and was taken to ECMC.