Fire destroys two-and-a-half story home at 623 Newland Ave. in Jamestown...
Flames late yesterday morning destroyed a single-family home on Jamestown's southside... which later had to be torn-down because it was a safety hazzard. City Fire Battalion Chief Sam Salemme says firefighters were called to the scene at 623 Newland Avenue about 11:30 a.m., and, says there was heavy fire and smoke coming from the back of the structure. Salemme tells us the fire moved so quickly through the old house, they had to take a defensive posture to fight the blaze. He says they used a couple of large hoses, and set up their "water tower" to douse the flames. Salemme says it took about an-hour and a-half to get the fire under control. Salemme says... in addition to the house at 623 Newland... they had to protect exposures on the homes to it's left and right He says the siding was melted off one side... and, some of the windows had melted on the other home. Salemme says the nine-member family that lived in the home at 623 Newland got out safely... and, no injuries were reported. He says they had to call in an off-duty shift of 11 firefighters... and a shift commander. He says the family is being helped by the local Red Cross. The cause remains under investigation.
Boat fire in Ellery send six people scurrying to nearby vessel for safety...
Six people has to jump to a nearby boat when the vessel they were on caught fire last weekend on Chautauqua Lake in the town of Ellery, and was eventually destroyed. Member of the Sheriff's Department Navigation Patrol were called with the help at the scene shortly before Noon Saturday... and found the six had been able to get onto a nearby pontoon boat. Officers say they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the vessel when they arrived. Bemus Point firefighters were called to the scene... and, put out the blaze. Deputies say the boat was towed onto shore at Long Point State Park. The county's HAZMAT Team was also called in to contain leaking fuel from damaged vessel. Officers spoke with owner and operator of the vessel, 61 year-old Edward Guy of Willoughby, Ohio, and determined the fire was electrical in nature.
PA men rescued on Lake Erie after catamaran overturns...
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania man escaped serious injury last Friday night when his Catamaran overturned on Lake Erie near Van Buren Point in the town of Portland. Sheriff's Deputies say they received a report of an overdue vessel, operated by 68 year-old Robert Wilson, just before 8:30 p.m. Officers called out the department's Navigation Patrol... and, they found Wilson sitting on top of his overturned boat about two-miles offshore. Deputies add he had floated several miles away from where the boat overturned. Wilson was rescued... and, taken to Dunkirk Harbor where he was checked out... and, turned over to family members. Dunkirk firefighters... along with Allstar Ambulance... and, U.S. Border Patrol assisted. The Sheriff's Office reminds boaters that everyone on board any vessel including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards must have a proper personal floatation device -- or life jacket -- on board the vessel. It is also recommended to make a "float plan" to advise friends/family of the details of your trip.
71st annual Gerry Rodeo a huge success...
The 71st Gerry Rodeo was a smashing success. That from Rodeo Spokesman Paul Cooley as the final performance was wrapping up Saturday night. Cooley says they had capacity crowds the final two nights of the four-day event, and a record-number of rodeo contestants. He adds they had the most prize money ever... over $45,000, and some of the best performances Gerry has seen in a long time. Cooley says the barrel racing was fantastic, and they had some outstanding bareback riders. Jake Brown of Hillsboro, Texas has a bareback score of 86 on Wedensday -- opening night -- which was possibly a record for the arena at Gerry. Cooley says a successful rodeo is good news for the entire Gerry community because proceeds benefit the Gerry Fire Department. Cooley thanked the 150 volunteers from the community who worked to put on the annual event.
Former Buffalo Bills general manager, Polian, inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame...
Bill Polian, the architect of two major rebuilding projects in Buffalo and Indianapolis is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 72-year-old Polian was inducted last night following a career in which he showed a knack for giving struggling clubs a needed boost. Polian began his career as a scout for Kansas City before eventually taking over as general manager in Buffalo in 1984. He put together the building blocks that became the core of a franchise that went to four consecutive Super Bowls.
