(WNY News Now) – Vermont St., New York—Emergency crews battled a devastating fire in a three-story building at 512 Vermont Street. The blaze, reported at 1:20 a.m., quickly escalated to an all-hands operation as firefighters fought to contain the flames and rescue trapped residents.
At 1:22 a.m., a 911 caller alerted authorities to a fire on the first floor, reporting that individuals were trapped on the second floor. Responders rushed to the scene, with initial reports confirming heavy smoke and flames visible from the building. By 1:24 a.m., the fire had spread rapidly, prompting an escalation of the emergency response.
According to first responders, two individuals were pulled from the structure in critical condition. CPR was administered on-site as firefighters worked against the clock to prevent further casualties. Both individuals were rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, and one was declared deceased shortly afterwards.
By 1:46 a.m., the majority of the flames had been extinguished, but crews continued to address lingering hot spots and a slight extension of the fire into the building’s cellar. Additional trucks were called in at 1:51 a.m. to reinforce the operation. The fire was completely extinguished within an hour.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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