New York firefighter trapped in blaze that led to explosion
A firefighter was missing inside a building in downtown Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday and was believed to have been trapped by falling debris from a blaze that led to an explosion that sent flames and smoke billowing into the street.
Video recorded by bystanders showed teams of firefighters outside the building being knocked over and enveloped in a cloud of ash, then flailing to regain control of spraying hoses.
Rescuers were trying to reach the spot where the missing firefighter was believed to be trapped, officials said.
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Firefighters battle a blaze in Buffalo, New York on March 1, 2023. A firefighter battling a large fire in a vacant building in Buffalo on Wednesday became trapped in a partial building collapse and remained unaccounted for, officials said. (WKBW via AP) AP
"Certainly our thoughts and hopes and prayers are that the firefighter will make it out of this fire," Mayor Byron Brown said. "This is a difficult day in the city of Buffalo, and certainly we are asking for prayers."
Firefighters responded to the building, which held a theatrical costumes shop, in a downtown commercial district at about 10am, Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said.
"Quickly thereafter there was a mayday call," Renaldo said. "There was a structural collapse, an interior collapse. Firefighters had to evacuate. And unfortunately one of our firefighters was trapped and is still trapped, and we're still trying to make our way to that firefighter as we speak."
Renaldo said at a briefing that firefighters had not had any contact with their missing colleague since the firefighter became trapped.
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Flames shoot across the pavement at a fire in a building in Buffalo, New York, on March 1, 2023. (Photo: (Josh Federice/WKBW via AP) Supplied
Asked if the firefighter might still be alive, Renaldo said. "There is a possibility, yes. We're keeping that hope."
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Renaldo said his department was investigating a report that workers had been seen with torches near the building, which was being renovated.
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