Smoking in bed leads to duplex fire

DEPEW, N.Y. (WIVB) - A fire ripped through a Depew duplex on Patsy Lane early Friday morning.

The initial call came in around 7:30 a.m. for a mattress fire, but when firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke pouring from the front window of the duplex. Both apartments in the building were impacted and residents will need to find a place to stay for awhile.

Depew Fire Assistant Chief Todd Rzeszutek said, “Both residents are going to be evacuated, and they're not going to be allowed to stay here. That will be deemed appropriate by our building inspector and the code enforcement officers of the Village of Depew."

Fire investigators say a resident was smoking in bed and started the mattress on fire. The resident poured water on the mattress, and believing the fire was extinguished, placed the mattress up on end in the hallway and left for work. A short time late, a family member smelled smoke and found the mattress fully engulfed.

Damages to the duplex are estimated to be around $90,000.