By Janice L. Habuda
The Buffalo News
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. — A recent graduate of Silver Creek High School died and two others were rescued after fire broke out early Wednesday morning in a home on Hanover Street.
Chautauqua County Coroner Warren Riles identified the victim as Justin Phillips, 18.
Firefighters responded at about 5:48 a.m. to an alarm for a structure fire with possible entrapment, at 52 Hanover, according to Fire Chief Richard A. Bartlett. Firefighters arriving on the scene found heavy smoke and fire.
Two residents made it outside and were on the roof on the back side of the house, Bartlett said. Passers-by and police used a ladder to rescue them.
But firefighters trying to rescue Phillips from the front of the house were driven back by the intense heat.
“It was so hot the helmets started melting on my [firefighters’] heads,” Bartlett said. “They were actually smoking when they came out.”
Phillips, found in a first-floor living area, was taken to Lake Shore Memorial Hospital in Irving, where he died. Riles said the cause of death was fire-related.
The two other occupants, whose names were not immediately available, were treated in Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk and released. A fourth resident wasn’t home when the fire occurred, Bartlett said.
Once all of the occupants were out, it took firefighters another 30 to 35 minutes to bring the fire under control. According to public records, the house was owned by Margarita K. Phillips.
“The fire did originate in the kitchen. It appears to be accidental,” said Bartlett. Kitchen appliances are suspect and amples were taken for laboratory analysis to pinpoint the cause.
As for damage to the home, Bartlett said: “It’s probably a total loss.”
Phillips’ death is being mourned by the Silver Creek Central School community, just weeks after he graduated from the school, where he was an honor roll student and athlete.
School Superintendent David O’Rourke announced Wednesday that the district was “saddened by the tragic death of a recent graduate.”
“Our entire school community has been impacted by this loss,” O’Rourke said in a statement to families of students. “Our hearts go out to our student’s grieving family and friends.”
The district is making counselors available for students in the high school guidance office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through July 15..
O’Rourke also said school counselors and social workers were providing resources online at the district’s home page to assist parents in discussing the tragedy with their children in terms of dealing with loss, death and grief.
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