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Wiedrick Road By Erika Aftuck

UPDATE with video: Friendship apartment building collapsing, sounds of explosions as over 12 ambulances from two states called to assist

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Cutline: As the fire burns, you could hear explosions and the building collapsing. Firefighters were ordered out of the structure.

By JOHN ANDERSON

A large apartment complex in Friendship is collapsing and firefighters were told to evacuate the burning structure before it started coming down.

Over a dozen ambulances from two states were called to the scene of an apartment fire at 4-6 Depot Street in Friendship. The Friendship Volunteer Fire Department is at 7 Depot Street.

Story continues after video:

The fire was toned out Thursday afternoon as a report of a fire with smoke showing and possible multiple people trapped.

Allegany County Sheriff Scott Cicirello is asking the public to avoid the area. He received reports from the scene and gave a statement to the Wellsville Sun.

“There were multiple occupants inside the apartment building a the initial report report of a fire,” Cicirello said. “One patient was reported critical. Several persons were transported by various ambulances to various hospitals. The structure was fully engulfed.”

When asked if everyone got out safely, Cicirello said, “it’s unknown if all occupants got out.”

Story continues after photo:

Firefighters from Friendship were immediately on the scene along with FAST Team 3 from Wellsville and Scio firefighters. Fire departments and ambulances were called in from Cuba, Medical Transport Service, Belfast, Andover, Genesee, Pa., Bolivar, Richburg and Independence. Others departments were called to the scene or for mutual aid for other departments.

The Wellsville Sun did not talk to fire officials at the scene or at the 911 dispatch center in Belmont. Photos and videos were taken from a distance determined for the media. However, the 911 center is still working and asked the media to stop calling. Additional 911 operators were called in on their day off to assist.

Allegany County Lieutenant Timothy J. Hand said in an emailed statement to the Western New York media, “At this time there is nothing to report regarding the structure fire at 4 Depot Street in the Village of Friendship that has not been broadcast via the CODE RED Emergency Notification System.  When details are confirmed and information has been vetted, a press release will be generated by the Friendship Fire Department and/or Allegany County Fire Coordinator’s office.  Until then, please refrain from calling the Allegany County E-911 Communications Center as ALL Dispatchers are currently working this and several other incidents around Allegany County.”

Michael Baldwin from Wellsville Regional News was the first to report on the incident. He reported an emergency medical services first responder said on the scanner, “How many patients can Jones Memorial in Wellsville take?” The response was “they’ll take as many as you need.”

A cause has not been determined. An occupant of the building told the Sun they think it started in a bedroom. The Sun is withholding other details until they are confirmed by fire investigators and law enforcement.

This photo by Kuzma Harmon shows the initial chaos in Friendship.
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