Wall collapse injures 4 firefighters in Friendship
FRIENDSHIP — Four firefighters were hurt when a wall of a burning building collapsed on them early Sunday, and three remained hospitalized in Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, Allegany County public safety officials reported.
Firefighters from several departments responded shortly before 6 a. m. to a fire at 12 W. Main St., which housed Carlin’s Pizza Pit Stop on the ground floor and an apartment on an upper floor.
A group of firefighters was behind the building, apparently about to enter, when the brick exterior wall collapsed on them, according to a county 911 dispatcher.
Three volunteer firefighters from Cuba and one volunteer firefighter from Friendship were injured. Their names had not been released late Sunday.
One Cuba firefighter was taken to Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, where he was treated and released.
Two other Cuba firefighters and the Friendship firefighter were taken to ECMC, where they remained Sunday evening. Their conditions weren’t immediately available.
Contrary to published reports, it’s not believed that anyone was living in the upstairs apartment.
The building is a total loss, and a neighboring hardware store also sustained substantial damage.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
