Firefighters injured in east side blaze

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Firefighters responded to a two-alarm blaze, early Thursday morning. Crews were called to Box Avenue, off of Fillmore Avenue between East Ferry and Genesee Streets, around 6:30 a.m.

   PHOTOS |  See images from the scene on Box Avenue

Investigators believe the fire started in a car and spread to two buildings. Buffalo Fire Department Division Chief Don McFeely says the flames sparked outside of 167 Box Avenue, and spread to the home that now needs to be demolished.  McFeely says the flames spread to 171 Box Avenue. McFeely says that structure was vacant upstairs and the downstairs was a BBQ restaurant, that the owner says is probably too damaged to repair.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries Thursday morning. One firefighter suffered an arm injury, another suffered an eye injury.

A man says fire crews rescued his 90-year-old mother from the raging fire Thursday. He said he drove by and saw flames, and told firefighters exactly where to find her.

Archie Ray Brown said, “They had flames coming right up the side bedroom where she was sleeping. What they did, they picked her up and brought her down.” Brown said if everyone didn’t work together, it could have ended differently. “If it hadn’t been for God leading me back to my mother’s house, I don’t think she would be alive today,” said Brown.

The total damage estimate at the two structures is about $100,000.