(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – A devastating fire broke out at the high-rise building located at 303 W 5th St in Jamestown, NY, specifically in Apartment 702, on March 11, 2024, at 7:28 PM. The incident resulted in one casualty, and subsequent investigations by the Jamestown Fire Department point to an accidental cause.

The Jamestown Fire Department (JFD) swiftly responded to a Box Alarm 2124, signaling a structure fire at 303 W 5th St in Jamestown. Upon arrival at 7:28 PM, heavy black smoke engulfed the 7th floor. The JFD deployed Engine Companies 2 and Ladder Company 1, accompanied by one Chief Officer and a team of 10 members.

The initial assessment revealed a working fire inside Apartment 702, where a sprinkler had been activated. The Ladder 1 crew successfully extinguished the fire using a high-rise pack deployed from the standpipe. Simultaneously, Engine 3 established a water supply and charged the standpipe. Engine 4 conducted a thorough search of the 8th and 9th floors, assisting over 20 residents to safety.

The evacuation effort, involving multiple agencies such as the Jamestown Police Department, BPU, V DOD, V ALSTAR, DPW, Red Cross, National Fuel, Celeron Ambulance, Town of Ellicott PD, NYSP, Town of Carol PD, and CEMS, helped evacuate 90+ residents, with most requiring assistance.

Unfortunately, Ladder 1 reported a fatality within Apartment 702. Emergency medical teams set up a triage area in the parking lot, attending to 15+ people with minor complaints, none requiring transport from the scene. One firefighter sustained injuries during the operation.

The Red Cross stepped in to assist displaced residents, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Preliminary findings from the Jamestown Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit indicate that the fire originated in the kitchen area of Apartment 702, caused by unattended cooking on the stove top. The nature of the fire is deemed accidental, with the occupant of the apartment found deceased.