Batavia house fire injures firefighters, occupant

Four firefighters and a resident were injured, but not seriously, at a house fire Tuesday morning on the 300 block of south Harrison Street in Batavia.

Firefighters were called at 5:43 a.m. to the house. All six of the occupants, who ranged in age from 12 to 70, had exited, according to Deputy Chief Randy Banker. They were alerted to the fire both by an alarm and by an unknown passer-by who saw it and knocked on their door to alert the family, Banker said. Five of the people in the house were asleep at the time.

The fire, which started outside near a deck, was under control at 6:30 a.m.

The firefighters were injured when one slipped on icy stairs, knocking the others down, Banker said. The resident injured their head during the escape.

Three firefighters and the resident were treated at the scene; a fourth firefighter was taken to Delnor Hospital, treated and released.

According to Banker, fire engulfed the single-family home, with flames on all three levels and fire coming out of the roof.

The cause has not been determined.

Damage is estimated at $150,000 to the building and $25,000 to the contents. The house is uninhabitable, fire officials said.