The Buffalo News
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Firefighters from as far away as Akron helped battle a blaze fueled by high winds at the Greenpac/Norampac facility in the city Saturday afternoon.
The fire broke out at about 2:30 p.m. at the adjoining plants on Packard Road and Royal Avenue, which make corrugated board and lightweight liner board. Flames shot from at least one building, as well as from stacked bundles of paper material located outdoors. As many as 50 bundles were burning near the time the fire started, according to a fire dispatcher.
Some areas were still burning into the evening, and the fire had yet to be declared under control.
When the fire broke out, Niagara Falls firefighters called in all personnel and then asked for assistance from neighboring departments. Some companies, including Wolcottsville, brought in tanker trucks to carry more water to the scene.
Assisting departments came from neighboring municipalities, including Wheatfield, Lewiston, Town of Niagara, Sanborn, Barker and the Niagara Falls air base.
At about 4:20 p.m., almost two hours into the fire, the smoke billowing from the scene turned dark gray as it was blown northward by high winds. .
Traffic along Niagara Falls Boulevard and Pine Avenue frequently slowed as passers-by craned to catch a glimpse of the flames. A few dozen vehicles pulled off to the side of the road and onto the grassy median of Pine Avenue, as well as into nearby parking lots, to watch as the drama unfolded – with many of the spectators taking pictures and video with their cellphones.
Early Saturday night, there was no word on what triggered the smoky blaze or where its point of origin was.
The Niagara Falls Water Board called in additional staff to make sure more water was available to fight the blaze, Mayor Paul A. Dyster said.
Two firefighters were injured battling the fire. One suffered a shoulder injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Another firefighter was treated for a burn and remained on duty.
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