Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Investigation Continues Into Sunday Downtown High Rise Fire

Rochester fire investigators continue to look into a cause for a four-alarm fire that started on the roof of a high-rise apartment complex downtown. Flames could be seen shooting into the air from a good portion of downtown.

It happened at the Buckingham Commons apartments on Allen Street, not far from the High Falls area. Fire Lieutenant Will Jackson says the fire was noticed at about 6:45 a.m. by a fire official driving back from another fire.

"Basically one of our command staff was returning from a Smith Street fire and noticed flames coming from the roof here, fire companies came, they were able to get everybody out safely."

Credit rfalconcam.com

Firefighters quickly alerted tenants in the seven story building and they all got out safely.

There also was no injury to firefighters, and most of the damage was confined to the roof of the building, where there is also a patio. Jackson says the fire alarm system apparently did not go off and authorities are trying to determine why that was the case.

Four alarms were called in because of the size of the building, and more than 100 city firefighters were there. Firefighters from suburban departments helped fill in at city fire stations.

It wasn't immediately know when residents would be able to  return to their apartments.  The Red Cross sent nine volunteers to provide assistance to people living in the building, including providing food, clothing and medicine replacement as needed.

The building was built more than 100 years ago to house a company that made window sash balances. For decades, it was the home of a company which made frames for eyeglasses.

The building, developed by Buckingham Properties, now houses apartments and some commercial offices.

 

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.