BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Fire crews are investigating a fire at a storefront in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood that appears to be intentional in nature, fire officials confirmed to News 4.
Fire officials said they responded to the scene of a storefront on Military Road reportedly on fire Wednesday morning. Upon arrival, they said, the first floor of the building was fully engulfed.
A section of Military Road was shutdown while crews worked to control the fire.
Fire officials said they are working to investigate the circumstances of the fire but said the fire was “definitely intentional.” They said there was a loud explosion of breaking glass along with an explosion of a “fireball,” indicating the use of an accelerant.
No injuries were reported and five cats were rescued.
The fire extended to the storefront next door and a woman was able to self-evacuate from an apartment prior to fire crews arriving.
A city spokesperson told News 4 that the Red Cross is assisting four people and damages are estimated be $350,000 to the storefront, 179 Military Road, and $130,000 to the storefront next door, 181 Military Road.