Shortly after 7pm last evening November 12th, dispatchers at the Orleans County Public Safety Office received a cellular 911 call reporting smoke in the area of Genesee Street at the railroad crossing. Medina Engine 11 responded and as they were pulling up to the area were updated by Lieutenant Crooks that he was out with the caller and that there was smoke coming from a railcar parked behind The Olde Pickle Factory at 711 Park Avenue. Engine 11 rerouted to that location where Lieutenant Cooley and crew were confronted with heavy fire coming from one railcar impinging on a second railcar as well as the structure. A structure fire assignment was then requested and dispatched bringing Shelby and Albion to the scene. A second FAST team was requested as well as the balance of the second alarm. As Medina firefighters attacked the burning railcars, other Medina firefighters forced entry into the building and found fire inside the building that entered through a large window and was burning plastic totes on two pallets. The interior fire was extinguished so quickly by interior crews that the building's sprinkler system never activated. As more companies arrived on scene they assisted Medina with search and ventilation of the structure as well as extinguishment and overhaul of the railcars. The origin and cause of this fire is currently under investigation by Fire Investigators from the Medina Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit with assistance from the Medina Police Department, The Orleans County Sheriff's Office and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigation Unit.
We would like to thank all the agencies listed above as well as the fire departments of East Shelby, Middleport, Lyndonville and Tri-Town Ambulance Inc. for their assistance at either the scene or standing by at our firehouse.
Comprehensive damage estimates are unavailable at this time. One railcar is a total loss, fire damage to the second railcar is minimal. Damage to the building and contents are considered minor and well under $10,000. This is a direct result of the excellent communications, teamwork and actions displayed by all personnel involved in this event.
We are happy to report that there were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters at this scene. Firefighters remained on scene until 11:15pm.