BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Answers about the Main Street fire on March 1 that claimed the life of Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno are coming soon.
Fire investigators and the ATF announced Monday that the on-site investigation at 745 Main Street is now complete and the findings will be turned over to the Erie County District Attorney’s office.
DA John Flynn did not comment on the potential criminal investigation on Monday. He addressed questions about the fire on Friday.
“Nothing’s been ruled out yet. I’d be surprised if we find anything intentional at this point,” Flynn said. “My role obviously is to determine if in fact any criminal conduct is going to result from that fire.”
Bringing criminal charges in this case will require a lot of evidence, according to criminal defense attorney Barry Covert.
“It’s a high standard that the district attorney’s office would have to satisfy to bring charges. But anyone who’s involved in the process that led to the fire if there is a conclusive determination as to how it began could potentially be exposed,” Covert added. “Presumably something happened here that was not expected otherwise we wouldn’t have this tragic result. The ATF is going to be able to look at that and they are going to be dispassionate.”
The site will be turned over to the Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services, where an emergency demolition was scheduled to begin as early as Tuesday. The DPIS said that the demolition will take at least two weeks, which will include the removal of foundation and debris. Investigators had announced last week that the damage from the fire was estimated at $2.6 million.
“I want to thank all of the fire investigators, led by Buffalo Fire and the ATF, for their thorough and careful work over the last two weeks, that will hopefully provide a measure of closure to the community,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement.
On Tuesday afternoon, we received an update:
Roads will remain closed during the demolition. Officials say Main Street between Tupper Street and Goodell Street will be closed for approximately one week while the demolition begins. In addition, Washington Street between Tupper and Goodell remains closed until further notice.
Businesses in the area have been blocked off by fencing for almost two weeks. The extensive road closures have decreased foot traffic there.
“I think the biggest challenge has been the parking situation and being able to access the street just trying to get through our door,” Matthew Keeler, co-owner of Just Dishin’, said. “Seeing how those other businesses have potentially been affected by foot traffic and everything has been tough, but I think the biggest piece of it is that we all stick together for each other and that’s why our community is such a family because we are able to do that.”
Arno’s cause of death has not yet been determined. The Buffalo Fire Department is accepting donations on behalf of Arno’s wife and 3-year-old daughter.
- Families upset North Carolina school tells sons to cut hair before returning to school
- March male scholar athlete: Williamsville East’s Luca Buscaglia
- Pence blasts Biden for ‘vacuum of leadership’ on administration’s response to China, Russia
- Four key takeaways as lawmakers grill TikTok CEO
- Bible ban? School district reviewing the religious text after parent’s request
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
Tara Lynch is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as a reporter in 2022. She previously worked at WETM in Elmira, N.Y., a sister station of News 4. You can follow Tara on Facebook and Twitter and find more of her work here.