Workman's torch starts house fire
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Eggertsville firefighters stretch hose lines to attack a fire that caused $70,000 damage to a home at 29 Morton Drive last Thursday. Photo by David F. Sherman Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

A Buffalo painting firm was issued a summons for illegal use of an open flame device following a $70,000 house fire last Thursday at 29 Morton Drive, Eggertsville.

Fire investigators said the summons was issued to A Touch of Heaven Painting, owned by Dennis Fanara.

The fire was reported at 10:49 a.m. with initial reports indicating the fire started on the house's exterior.

Mike Flynn, acting assistant chief of the Eggertsville Hose Co., said smoke was emanating from the second floor when he arrived at the scene.

Workers told firefighters they had been using a torch to strip paint on the outside of the house. One of the two men was using a power washer in an unsuccessful attempt to put out the blaze when firefighters arrived.

The Snyder Fire Department had been dispatched simultaneously with Eggertsville as part of the daytime response plan. North Bailey responded as a Firefighter Assist and Search Team. Flynn called for a full second alarm a few minutes later as crews found the fire spreading throughout the attic.

"There was no open flame visible on the outside until the crews opened up that crawlspace over the back bedroom," said Flynn. "They were able to knock it down right away, but there was a great deal of overhaul with the construction of the attic and heavy charring to the wood joists."

He said he put North Bailey firefighters to work inside the burning house almost as soon as they arrived, and requested a second FAST team from Williamsville.

The second alarm upgrade brought Kenilworth into Eggertsville's fire hall and Cleveland Hill into Snyder's fire hall.

Homeowner Kim Barker told Flynn she had just completed extensive interior remodeling and added a new roof to the house. Eleven new pieces of furniture had been delivered just five days before the fire, she said.