Fire truck racing to the emergency scene. File photo — Fire truck racing to the emergency scene. File Photo

A man died after firefighters pulled him from a smoke-filled apartment during a commercial structure fire Wednesday afternoon.

North Tonawanda, NY – A man died after a fire broke out inside a multi-family building Wednesday afternoon in North Tonawanda, according to the North Tonawanda Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched around 2:28 p.m. to 526 Oliver Street after Niagara County Fire Control received reports of smoke coming from a second-floor apartment.

Key Points

• Man found inside apartment after fire at Oliver Street building
• Victim later died after being removed from the structure
• Fire displaced several families and remains under investigation

Fire discovered in second-floor apartment

Truck 1, Engine 4, Engine 6, and Car 10 responded to the scene under the supervision of Captain Aaron Mohr.

Engine 4 arrived within three minutes and crews quickly confirmed a working structure fire with smoke visible from second-floor and attic windows.

Additional off-duty firefighters were called to the scene and a FAST team from the Tonawanda Fire Department was requested to assist.

Victim found during search

Firefighters entered through the front door and advanced to the second floor where they encountered heavy smoke throughout the structure.

Crews forced entry into the apartment where the fire originated and quickly knocked down flames just inside the doorway before beginning a search of the unit.

During the search, firefighters located a male victim in the kitchen area and removed him from the building.

The victim was treated at the scene but ultimately died from his injuries.

Multiple families displaced

The fire was brought under control around 3:22 p.m. after crews completed overhaul and ventilation operations using both positive pressure and natural ventilation.

The building houses five families, all of whom are receiving assistance from the North Tonawanda Emergency Management Office and the American Red Cross.

Firefighters remained on scene for about one hour and eight minutes, and no additional civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Cause still under investigation

The North Tonawanda Fire Investigation Team is continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.

Officials estimate about 288 square feet of the building was damaged, with property damage estimated at approximately $100,000.

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