Bomb Squad, FBI assisting in investigation of Albion fire

Photo by Tom Rivers: A fast moving fire quickly engulfed a house at 221 West State St. and caused extensive damage the residence next door on East Academy Street. Another house on West State Street also was damaged from the blaze.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – On Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m. the Orleans County 911 Center received numerous calls reporting an explosion and fire at 221 West State St. in the Village of Albion.

The Albion Police Department and Albion Fire Department were dispatched. Albion Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s personnel arrived on scene and found the residence located at 221 West State Street heavily involved in fire. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent residences located at 219 West State St. and 5 East Academy St.

A male occupant of the 221 West State St. was found at the scene with non-life-threatening injuries consistent from an explosion and subsequent fire. The male was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by COVA Ambulance.

The fire to the homes was extinguished by the Albion Fire Department along with assistance from numerous mutual aid fire companies. The damage to the homes located at 221 West State St. and 5 East Academy St. is extensive.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Albion Police Department with assistance from the Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

UPDATE: Chief Nenni released this additional statement at 11:30 a.m.

“The investigation into the fire that occurred at 221 West State Street in the Village of Albion and spread to nearby homes is ongoing.

The investigation so far has revealed that the fire started in the attached garage at 221 West State St. Because of the initial reports of an explosion and the lack of an obvious cause of an explosion, Bomb Squad Technicians were brought in to make sure the scene was safe.

The safety of the firefighters, who had to finish the overhaul process of the scene, and general public was made sure of by specialists who determined there was no further risk of explosions.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is who the Albion Police use in these situations.

More information will be released in the near future as investigation continues.”