Firefighters tackle a persistent fire that displaced four families in a two-story apartment complex at 310 Main St., Youngstown, Wednesday night. Crews from Youngstown, Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co., and the Niagara Falls Air Force Base team battled the apartment flames for hours.
Fri, March 5, 2021, 4:35 p.m.
Article and photo by Terry Duffy
Editor-in-chief
The Niagara County Fire Department continued its investigation Tuesday evening into a structural fire that severely damaged an apartment complex at 310 Main St. in the village of Youngstown.
Greg Robertson Sr. of Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. said the first alarm went off around 8:30 p.m. in the two-story apartment complex across from the Youngstown riverside pavilion in Falkner Park. Robertson said firefighters encountered challenging conditions in the flame that had spread around an apartment and traveled to the complex’s attic.
“There were some difficult places in the attic that opened up,” he said.
Robertson stated that firefighters from the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, and Niagara Falls Air Base teams assisted the Youngstown crews with the fire and were on site until after 1 a.m. The firefighters had to return later Wednesday morning when parts of the complex were re-ignited in places and had to be extinguished.
Four families – three with children – escaped the fire and were evicted, Robertson said. There were no injuries. The helpers of the Red Cross supported the families.
The fire is being investigated further.
“Niagara County’s origin and cause is investigating,” Robertson said.
In the meantime, family members help those affected.
“These pink curtains are my granddaughter’s bedroom,” Amy Peters commented on Facebook. “It literally makes me sick to see it. Luckily everyone got out. “
Chris Salada, former police chief of Youngstown and Lewiston Police Department, said members of his family were among the displaced.
“The fire last night was my son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren,” he said. “You lost everything, including a few pets. Everyone lives with us now. “
Salada said his daughter Mari opened a GoFundMe account: “Help the Nablo family recover from a tragic fire.”
“Hello, my brother Kyle and his family lost their home and all belongings in a tragic fire on 03/21/21,” Mari wrote on the GoFundMe post. “Fortunately, everyone had left the house safely, but everything from food to new apartments to clothing was lost and needed. To get them back on their feet, please help by donating. Any help in this time of need is very much appreciated! “
Founded Wednesday morning with the goal of raising $ 10,000, more than half of that amount had been raised by Thursday morning thanks to 123 donors.
Another GoFundMe account was created to help the Salvatore family who lost their home and belongings in the fire.
On March 2nd, the apartment next to Salvatore’s apartment caught fire and spread and they lost everything. Let’s do what we can to help them! “Organizer Kelli Morridian wrote.
The Salvatore GoFundMe was founded with a goal of $ 5,000 and as of Thursday totaled as much as $ 4,610 from 73 donors.
“This is another family who lost everything in the tragic fire in Youngstown last night,” wrote Youngstown trustee Nicole Khouri Quarantillo on her Lewiston, NY and Neighbors Facebook page. “If you can donate or help in any way. You’re welcome.”
Visit www.gofundme.com to support one of the families.
The Lewiston-Porter School District offers even more support to families.
“Several families have lost everything. LP does everything for everyone, ”said Jodee Riordan, president of the education committee. “Our social workers help with support – they will help in any way necessary. You really are the best.
“Faculty and staff donate gift cards for groceries, household items (Tops, Walmart, Wegmans, Target, etc.), social workers lead the effort.”
Those interested in supporting the Lewiston-Porter efforts can contact Lew-Port Social Worker Danielle Kudula (Middle School, 716-754-8281, ext. 5118 / or High School, 716-286-7257; [email protected]) or Erin Myers (Lew-Port Primary Education Center, 716-286-7220, ext. 6407; email, [email protected]).
