Fire consumed this home at 6923 Northview Drive this afternoon, but the homes occupants all got out okay. (STEPHEN M. WALLACE / CONTRIBUTOR)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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The fire was well underway by the time fire officials arrived. (STEPHEN M. WALLACE / CONTRIBUTOR)

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — A husband and wife and their pets escaped a house fire at 6923 Northview Drive this afternoon, but the home was severely damaged.

Al and Charlott Ventura and their two dogs got out of the burning home uninjured around 1 p.m. Al said he was on his way to work when the fire broke out. He believed the fire started at the southwest corner of the home, although he said there was no reason for a fire to start there.

Six local fire companies responded to the blaze including South Lockport, Rapids, Terry's Corners, Wrights Corners, Swormville, and Gasport Chemical Hose. Rural Metro ambulance also responded to the fire, as did Niagara County fire investigators.

South Lockport Fire Co. Chief Tim Glaser said the fire was well underway by the time crews arrived.

Volunteers from six local companies responded to the blaze. (STEPHEN M. WALLACE / CONTRIBUTOR)

"Hell of a stop on that fire," he said. "That fire had a hell of a head start."

That head start lead to the partial collapse of the second floor, according to fire personnel. It also lead to the destruction of a great deal of the Ventura's possessions and the injury of two firefighters.

Rapids Assistant Chief Chris Furlong was injured when part of the inside ceiling fell on him and three other fire fighters as they made an interior attack. He was transported to Eastern Niagara Hospital-Lockport. South Lockport Assistant Chief Eric Weber was also injured when he was burned on the back of his neck from falling debris, although he stayed on scene.

Several neighbors stood outside and talked while crews battled the blaze, offering support to the Ventura family and one another.

The neighborhood is no stranger to large fires. A structure fire at 6932 Northview Drive on Nov. 2, 2011 called five fire companies to the scene and resulted in the partial collapse of the home, which has since been demolished.

Another fire in the neighborhood occurred July 25 at 7035 Academy Lane. A family was displaced in the fire, which badly damaged a second-floor bedroom.

The neighborhood also had a string of car break-ins earlier this summer.

More photos from today's fire can be found here.

NOTE: Story has been corrected to reflect the name of the assistant chief of Rapids Vol. Fire Co. who was injured. The story originally identified the wrong person.

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