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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Niagara ARS Fire Department assists Buffalo Fire Department

  • Published
  • By Peter Borys
  • 914 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. --  Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Firefighters recently responded to support the Buffalo Fire Department. The three-alarm blaze began early on the morning of July 13 at a warehouse in Buffalo that stored oil, grease and propane. Due to the specialized hazardous material training Air Force firefighters receive and a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Western New York community, Niagara ARS firefighters were called to assist the city.

Capt. Steve Check and Lt. Kevin Mitchell were the first to respond from the base with a foam trailer. According to Lt. Mitchell, the foam is often used to suppress petroleum and aircraft fires. "It puts a blanket over it and smothers the fire", said Mitchell.

Later that day five additional members along with one of the aircraft crash vehicles from the base responded with additional support. Foam was pumped to the Buffalo Fire Department ladder trucks where it was being used to suppress the fire. Approximately 1,000 gallons of foam was used.

914th Maintenance Group First Sergeant Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Gray was also on the scene in his civilian capacity as a firefighter  with ladder 14 of the Buffalo Fire Department.

According to officials, the building collapsed and the fire is still smoldering.

There were no injuries and the fire is expected to smolder for a few days. Officials asked residents to remain indoors due to the large amount of black smoke. Buffalo Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of the fire.