At 7:27am, Saturday morning, the Medina Fire Department was dispatched for a reported house fire at the corner of Starr St. and Orient St. in the Village. Also responding on the first alarm was the Shelby Vol. Fire Company with an engine and the Lyndonville Fire Department with a Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST).

Off-duty fire captain R.J. Morgan lives less than a block away and was on-scene within a minute of the alarm and reported a fully involved two-story, wood-frame residence at 212 Starr St. A large column of thick, black smoke and flames shooting over 20 feet into the air could be seen across the village and surrounding communities. Nearly a dozen 911 calls reporting the fire were received by the Orleans County Sheriffs Dispatch Center.

Considering the amount of fire, and the fact that 4 neighboring houses were being impinged upon by the heavy fire conditions, a 3rd alarm was immediately summoned. Third alarm companies were Ridgeway, Middleport, and East Shelby to the scene and COVA and Albion Fire Department to standby at the Medina Fire Station. Albion was later special called to the scene for assistance.

Medina firefighters were on-scene within minutes. Occupants of the neighboring homes were evacuated, with the assistance of firefighters, while additional fire crews worked quickly, to extend hoselines to protect the exposure buildings.

The property at 212 Starr St. quickly collapsed into a pile of debris while fire crews continued to douse it with water. An excavator from the Medina Department of Public Works was requested to the scene to remove the debris so firefighters could ensure the fire was extinguished.

Properties at 702, 704, and 706 Orient St. and 208 Starr St. all received some heat damage to the exterior of the building and some smoke and water damage to their interiors, but crews successful prevented fire from extending into all 4 structures.

212 Starr St. was an inhabited structure; however, the lone resident was not home at the time of the fire.

No civilians or firefighters were injured.

Fire Investigators from the Orleans County Emergency Management Office assisted at the scene. The cause of the fire has not been released at this time. Fire investigators believe the fire spread rapidly through the home because the tenant was using propane tanks to fuel a heater in his residence. At least 1 one-hundred pound propane tank and several smaller tanks were located amongst the ruins.

The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of fireplaces, woodburning stoves, and space heaters is growing rapidly.

All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are, however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.

Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.

If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load demanded by the appliance. Be sure not to place the space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding. And avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.

It is important to note that Fire Code prohibits the use of portable kerosene and propane heaters indoors. They can be extremely dangerous and cause devastating results, as seen today.

Taking a serious and proactive approach to alternative heating sources is your best defense against accidental heating fires. And lastly, remember that having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Be sure to have at least one working smoke detector on every level of your home.

Additional Fire Photos in the "Pictures Gallery."

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Rochester D&C Coverage

13WHAM News Coverage

News10 Coverage

The Daily News - Batavia

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