A three-alarm blaze in north Buffalo has displaced 24 people. The fire broke out at a two-family home at 91 Crestwood Avenue near Hertel Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday.
Flames quickly spread to two nearby homes at 89 and 95 Crestwood. All three structures were occupied at the time. Three residents suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. One firefighter suffered a knee injury, but Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield said fortunately, there were only minor injuries.
"Nothing life-threatening. The residents are wonderfully blessed," said Whitfield. "No serious injuries to them. Obviously it is a devastating lost, materialistically speaking, a very devastating loss to them, but they still have life."
Adam Fenski owns the two-family home at 91 Crestwood where the fire started. Fenski suffered a minor burn to his arm, but remained at the scene. Fenski said he was asleep when his brother, who lives upstairs, alerted him to the blaze.
"My brother was upstairs and he came running downstairs and said the the house is on fire. I thought he was joking," stated Fenski. "I was running out of the house and I already heard the sirens. I'm just really happy everybody is okay."
Strong winds made it difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze.
"The wind exacerbated what was already a difficult situation for us today," said Whitfiled. "Very difficult firefighting conditions with the wind and proximity of the houses."
The roof of Fenski's home, which he bought almost two years ago, collapsed and the entire upper half is gone.
"I tried to find my cat and couldn't find it," noted Fenski.
WBFO News asked Fenksi if a smoke detector went off.
"They did upstairs, apparently. It all started on the front porch, that's all I know."
"I'm still shaken about it. It's crazy to look at."
There is no word on what caused the fire.
"Our fire marshals are here gathering information, interviewing the occupants of the structures trying to ascertain what led to this," noted Whitfield.
Fenski had a burn mark on his shirt and his right hand was wrapped in a white bandage.
"It was when I was running outside. There was stuff falling off the side of the house. I got burned on my arm," said Fenski. "I just ran right through it. I just wanted to get to the street, somewhere where it was safe. I'm very happy that I'm alive."