A massive fire broke out on Thursday morning at the Paul William Beltz law firm office building in downtown Buffalo. The fire prompted a three-alarm response from local fire departments. A major section of Church Street was also closed off due to the blaze.
The fire started shortly before noon and rapidly spread through the building, which is situated between the iconic Guaranty Building and the Verizon office tower. Thick black smoke quickly engulfed the structure. Eyewitnesses and videos from the scene captured heavy plumes of smoke rising into the Buffalo skyline.
Fire in downtown Buffalo! pic.twitter.com/SzUjB1l6TQ
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Evacuation Ordered, No Injuries Reported
Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo told that the law firm was evacuated safely a short time after the fire was discovered. Firefighters arrived quickly and started working to contain the blaze and keep it from spreading to nearby buildings.
No one has been injured, according to the latest information, and emergency crews are still on standby as they continue to extinguish the fire. “We ensured all staff and personnel within the building were escorted out safely,” said Renaldo. “Our crews are prioritizing keeping the fire contained and securing the scene.”
Major Road Closure and Traffic Disruption
As a result of the intensity of the fire and the on-going emergency operations, Church Street has been closed between Delaware Avenue and Pearl Street. The closure has caused severe traffic congestion in the downtown area, with officials calling on commuters and pedestrians to steer clear of the area until further notice.
Buffalo Police have set up barriers and rerouted traffic to ensure public safety and allow emergency vehicles to pass. Local offices and businesses have also been notified to take precautions while smoke still prevails in the region.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
At this point, the cause of the blaze remains unclear. Investigators have begun examining the scene to determine how it started. Authorities stated they will provide an update once the initial inspection is complete.
Paul William Beltz and Company, Buffalo’s leading legal firm, has been based out of the Church Street building for decades. It is too soon to determine the extent of building and interior damage.
