10-year-old dead, 2 in critical condition following fire in Batavia

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 10-year-old is dead following an early morning fire on Vine Street in Batavia, according to the local police department.

Two other children, ages 4 and 12, are in critical condition at Strong Memorial Hospital, the police department said.

Officials arrived to the scene at 3 Vine St. around 12:45 a.m. following reports from the downstairs tenant’s of a fire and three children trapped inside an upper apartment.

Police noticed flames coming from a second-story window and made an attempt to enter. When they were unsuccessful, fire officials arrived quickly to try and rescue the children.

“I had a broom stick just running back-and-forth to their bedrooms, hitting the ceiling as hard as I could to get them up. It took about three minutes for them to get up and then I could just hear them start running,” said downstairs neighbor Lisa Say.

“I could hear the kids come out the side windows saying, ‘Can you help us? We need help, we need help.’ I said, ‘Can you get to the door?’ He goes, ‘I can’t. The fire’s in the way,’ ” said Lisa’s husband, Dennis Say.

The children were alone in the apartment during the time of the fire. They were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital from United Memorial Medical Center.

“I just called them the other night to see if they wanted pizza. I still can’t believe this happened. I still haven’t been to bed yet. I can’t sleep. I’m like, sick,” said neighbor Linda DeSantis.

The downstairs neighbors are staying with family while the landlord figures out what repairs need to be made. Still, their only concern is the children.

“I’m praying that they make it. Just don’t leave your kids home alone ever. No matter how old they are,” said Lisa Say.

Two police officers and one firefighter sustained minor injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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