City of Olean Fire Department Media Release
Building Fire – 305 Center Street
At 1007am on Saturday September 9th, 2023 Olean Firefighters were alerted to a structure fire at 305 Center Street. The caller reported seeing flames and smoke in the back of the building. Olean PD arrived on scene confirming a structure fire and responding units called for an immediate 2nd alarm assignment due to the size of the building and amount of smoke. Olean Fire responded with Engine 41, Engine 42 and Ladder 164 with 8 firefighters and arrived within 3 minutes and had water on the fire within 5 minutes of the initial dispatch. Upon arrival units found a 2 ½ story house with smoke showing from the rear of the house. The second alarm assignment was cancelled a few minutes later. Firefighters stretched 1 – 1 ¾” hand line through the front door of the residence. Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the mudroom just past the kitchen. Firefighter extinguished the fire and confined it to the mudroom with some smoke and water damage in the kitchen area. Firefighters used fans to clear the remaining smoke from the house. One pediatric patient was evaluated on scene but was not transported to the hospital. The Olean Fire Investigation Team was called to the scene to investigate the fire. At the time of this release the fire is still under investigation.
Olean Firefighters were assisted on scene by Olean Police Department, Trans Am Ambulance and Deputy 4 Coordinator. Allegany, Westons Mills and Portville Fire Departments were initially called in on the 2nd alarm assignment but were cancelled.
Olean firefighters would like to remind the public the importance of keeping doors closed. Occupants in this case closed the door to the mudroom before leaving the house keeping the fire confined to that area of the house.
Daniel Gonska
Lieutenant
Platoon A