Murray Co. firefighters battle downtown business blaze
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Binghamton firefighter killed, 2 others injured while battling major downtown blaze
John R. Gaudet, an 11-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department, died after a wall collapsed. Two other firefighters were injured while fighting the flames. “This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for the firefighter’s family,” Mayor Jared Kraham said. The investigation into the blaze is ongoing, police and state fire investigators said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the entire department during this difficult time,” police said.
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said Thursday John R. Gaudet, an 11-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department, died after a wall collapsed while crews were battling a fire in the area of 1 Main St. downtown.
Gaudet, 40, was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, where he was pronounced dead, Kraham said. Two other Binghamton firefighters were injured while fighting the flames. They were treated at UHS Wilson Medical Center and released Thursday.
LIVE UPDATES: Binghamton NY firefighter killed in downtown fire
“This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for the firefighter’s family,” Kraham said in a statement.
“I ask us to all say a prayer for the entire Binghamton Fire Department community and our city,” he said. “Every day, our firefighters brave dangerous situations to protect citizens and keep our community safe. The men and women who dedicate their lives to this work are heroes. Tonight, the City of Binghamton mourns a fallen hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Others in law enforcement and emergency response were also quick to express their condolences on the loss.
“The entire Broome County Sheriff’s Office family offers our deepest condolences and prayers for the family, friends and colleagues of the Binghamton firefighter who lost his life last night in the line of duty serving our community,” Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Our prayers are also with the two injured firefighters currently recovering after last night’s fire.”
The Johnson City Police Department also issued a statement about the tragedy.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a Binghamton Fire Department firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last night,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the entire department during this difficult time.”
The investigation into the blaze is ongoing. The Binghamton Fire Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Binghamton Police Department and New York state fire investigators through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
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Blaze devastates downtown Wayland, businesses and residents displaced, cause investigated
A three-alarm fire broke out at 12 N. Main St. in downtown Wayland. The roof eventually collapsed and the entire building sustained heavy fire damage. At least three businesses — including a tattoo parlor and two restaurants — had to be closed. The occupants of at least seven upstairs apartments were displaced.
The call came in shortly before 11 a.m. when a resident reported a fire had started in her kitchen at 12 N. Main St. in the village, according to Steuben County Director of Public Safety Timothy Marshall, who spent much of the day on the scene.
In addition to Wayland, at least six other fire departments from Steuben County, including the Hornell City Fire Department, and another three departments from Livingston County responded to the fire.
Flames could be seen breaking through the roof at 12 N. Main St. after firefighters responded. The roof eventually collapsed and the entire building sustained heavy fire damage, Marshall said.
Adjacent buildings sustained smoke and water damage, he said.
At least three businesses — including a tattoo parlor and two restaurants — had to be closed.
In addition, the occupants of at least seven upstairs apartments were displaced, Marshall said. The Red Cross is assisting those residents.
There were no injuries reported but some pets died, Marshall said.
New York State Electric & Gas also responded to the scene and shut off electric and gas service to the affected buildings.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, according to Marshall.
Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Firefighters battling blaze near downtown Hillsdale
Hillsdale City and Jonesville fire departments respond to a fire at a home. The home is on the southeast corner of Bacon Street and North West Street. Traffic to Davis Middle School, half a block from the fire, is being rerouted.
The Hillsdale City and Jonesville fire departments were dispatched to a home on the southeast corner of Bacon Street and North West Street near downtown Hillsdale around 1:30 p.m.
Officers with the Hillsdale City Police Department and Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office were first to arrive on the scene and reported the home to be fully engulfed.
Mutual aid was quickly requested from the Hillsdale Township Fire Department to help bring the fire under control.
A neighbor reported that he thought the fire started on the south end of the home.
Traffic to Davis Middle School, half a block from the incident, is being rerouted to ensure students are picked up safely.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.
— Contact Reporter Corey Murray atcmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.
Firefighter killed, 2 others seriously injured battling New York blaze in Binghamton
A firefighter is dead and two others suffered serious injuries fighting a massive blaze. The fire broke in the city of Binghamton in Broome County just north of the Pennsylvania state line. The identity of the firefighter killed had not been released as of Thursday morning. “This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for the firefighter’s family,” Mayor Jared Kraham said in a statement Wednesday night. “Every day, our firefighters brave dangerous situations to protect citizens and keep our community safe,” Kraham added.
The fire broke in the city of Binghamton in Broome County just north of the Pennsylvania state line.
The identity of the firefighter killed had not been released as of Thursday morning.
Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham released a statement Thursday morning saying the firefighter was injured while battling a fire in the area of 1 Main St. downtown.
The firefighter was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, Kraham said. Two other Binghamton firefighters were injured battling the flames.
They were are being treated at Wilson Medical Center and are currently in stable condition.
‘An unspeakable tragedy’
“This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are broken for the firefighter’s family,” Kraham said in a statement.
“I ask us to all say a prayer for the entire Binghamton Fire Department community and our city,” he said. “Every day, our firefighters brave dangerous situations to protect citizens and keep our community safe. The men and women who dedicate their lives to this work are heroes. Tonight, the City of Binghamton mourns a fallen hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Others in law enforcement and emergency response were also quick to express their condolences on the loss.
“The entire Broome County Sheriff’s Office family offers our deepest condolences and prayers for the family, friends and colleagues of the Binghamton firefighter who lost his life last night in the line of duty serving our community,” Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said in a statement posted on Facebook
“Our prayers are also with the two injured firefighters currently recovering after last night’s fire.”
The Johnson City Police Department also issued a statement about the tragedy.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a Binghamton Fire Department firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last night,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the entire department during this difficult time.”
The cause and origin of the fire was not immediately known.
The Binghamton Fire Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Binghamton Police Department and New York state fire investigators through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
This story has been udpated.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.