Name of Buffalo Firefighter Killed in Downtown Fire Released

BUFFALO (N.Y.) – A firefighter who was killed in an explosion in Buffalo was identified as a father of 37 years. He had been working with the department for three year and authorities promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause.

Jason Arno, a firefighter, was found dead in a brick building in the city’s central area. He had radioed a mayday request several hours earlier and then stopped talking as the fire raged.

Arno was described by William Renaldo, Fire Commissioner, as “just a great all around person.” He had a three-year-old daughter. He was a “exemplary firefighter” and an employee, Renaldo said. He had his entire future ahead of him.

On Thursday, Mayor Byron Brown stated that federal and state agencies will be involved in the investigation of the fire and what caused Arno’s death.

According to the commissioner, the firefighter was about 30-40 feet from the building when he made his mayday call. This led to an emergency evacuation of all those inside. Arno was never heard from again.

Renaldo stated Thursday that the building was clear when firefighters entered it for the first time. Firefighters soon found themselves in a partial collapse, Renaldo said.

Renaldo stated that the sudden introduction of oxygen during a fire smoldering may cause it to be “sucked into a building and blown back.”

He said that a backdraft was a rare event. “The building was clear. This is often the case when we enter structures. It was therefore safe to enter, and the chief made this determination. “I cannot claim that there were any errors made in that fire.”

The mayor stated that demolition of the building was suspended while federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New York state fire department officials support the Buffalo Fire Department with a review.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Renaldo speculates that heat from blowtorches used to light the exterior bricks may have transferred through mortar or bricks and ignited paper or other combustibles. He said that the building was empty when the fire started.

Brown asked that all city landmarks in Arno’s honour be lit in red starting Thursday. Half-staff was used for city flags.

By Carolyn Thompson