Local News
FIRE: Cigarettes cause multiple structure fires in Medina
The Medina Fire Department responded to two structure fires in two days, both with one common factor: The fires were blamed on carelessly discarded cigarettes.
• Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, firefighters responded to a possible fire in the bathroom at Burger King, 11212 Maple Ridge Road. Fire crews arrived to find smoke from the noutside wall and in both rest rooms. After using hand tools to open the ceilings and walls in the rest rooms, crews were unable to locate fire. Crews then exited the structure to further examine the smoke puffing from an exterior corner of the building near the main entrance. They opened the exterior wall and located fire in a concealed stud space. Firefighters extinguished the fire and performed extensive overhaul on the exterior wall and as well as in the women’s rest rooms.
Medina fire investigators located several cigarette butts at the base of the building in the area where the fire began.
Employees stated that many patrons will discard their cigarettes at the door prior to entering the building. Fire investigators determined a carelessly discarded cigarette smoldered and caused the exterior of the building to catch fire.
According to reports, the fire then traveled up and into the concealed space, where it likely smoldered and remained hidden for several hours until a patron detected the odor of smoke and found smoke present in the women’s rest rooms.
The Orleans County Health Department also responded to the scene, as well as Medina’s code enforcement officer. Fire crews cleared the scene just before 7 p.m., and the business remained closed. It is unknown at this time when it will reopen.
• At 5 p.m. Sunday evening, Medina firefighters were dispatched to a fire on the exterior of a residence at 1025 Elm St. Arriving crews found a fire in the wall of an enclosed porch. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent if from extending into the home.
The home owner reportedly “butted” her cigarette out against the side of her house and then placed the butt in a plastic garbage can adjacent to the building. The butt smoldered and caught the garbage can on fire, according to reports. Fire then spread from the garbage can into the wall of the home. The smell of smoke alerted the homeowner, who then called 911.
The Medina Fire Department was assisted at both fires by crews from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Co. and a firefighter assist and search team from the Lyndonville Fire Department.
- Local News
-
- Police reports published Sept. 2
-
Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
-
Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
-
Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
-
Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
-
District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
-
Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
-
Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
- More Local News Headlines
