Boy, 5, critically injured with burns from residential fire in Wilson

WILSON – A 5-year-old boy was critically injured with burns from a residential fire in Wilson on Wednesday, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting.

William S. Whitmore, 35, also was seriously injured in the house fire at 140 Harbor St.

There was 911 call at 11:45 p.m., reporting the residential fire. Upon arrival, Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies found three residents to be evacuated from their fully engulfed home, Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti stated in a news release.

Whitmore was transported to Erie County Medical Center’s burn unit and is in serious condition. The 5-year-old boy was transported by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital, then transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and is in critical condition for his burns. A 41-year-old female was uninjured and accompanied her son to the hospital.

Three dogs were rescued by deputies from the fire scene and given to neighbors for safekeeping at the owner’s request.

There is no property damage estimate available at this time and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Niagara County Origin and Cause Team, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Responding fire companies included the Wilson Volunteer Fire Department, South Wilson Volunteer Fire Company, Olcott Volunteer Fire Department and Ransomville Volunteer Fire Company. Mercy EMS also responded.