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Fire destroys Town landmark; Vacant house dated to 1850s
By John J. Hopkins
A vacant Walden Avenue brick house- believed to have been built in the 1850s- was demolished Tuesday morning, hours after a deliberately set fire was started in the building late Monday night.
Because of its link to the town's past, some residents in recent years sought to preserve the house, while others saw the building as a dilapidated eyesore that should be razed. That controversy is now moot.
Town Historian Mary Holtz said that the pre-Civil War structure was likely one of the oldest buildings in Cheektowaga.
"There's a home on Borden Road that's a similar style," Holtz told the Times on Wednesday. "It probably fell in the category as one of the oldest in Cheektowaga."
Rescue Fire Chief Richard Chojnacki said that heavy smoke was pouring out of the boarded-up building on both the first and second floors upon firefighters' arrival to the blaze, reported at 10:25 p.m.
One fire appeared to have started on the second floor toward the rear, and the other on the first floor near a side door that was likely used for the arsonists to gain entry.
"It appears the boards were peeled off from the doorway. The door was open," said Chojnacki.
Fire Investigator Detective Dennis Gibbs said that the fire was deliberately set, but because the roof caved in it was not possible to examine evidence.
Gibbs said that there does not appear to be a connection between the fire and several arsons that have occurred recently in Buffalo.
Firefighters' access to the structure was hindered because its windows were boarded up years ago by the town, which owns the building.
Firefighters ripped the remaining boards off the windows, then removed the windows during their attack on the blaze.
Holes were also cut in the roof, which allowed Rescue firefighters atop an aerial ladder to drench the fire from above.
"We didn't let anybody get onto that roof," Chojnacki said. "Everything was done either off our ladder truck or from a ground ladder."
Using five hoses from the ground, and the ladder truck's water pipe, tens of thousands of gallons of water were poured on the fire.
Because of the building's condition and its vacant status, Chojnacki did not allow firefighters to enter the structure.
"The fire spread pretty quick; that place was like a match stick," Chojnacki added. "It was an entire defensive attack. We weren't sending anybody inside or on it."
Chojnacki estimated there are at least 40 vacant buildings in Rescue's fire district, and asked the public to keep a close watch on their neighborhood.
"Pay attention to your surroundings and the vacant structures,' Chojnacki said. "This can be a serious matter."
According to Chojnacki, a few firefighters experienced heat exhaustion while battling the fire.
Forks firefighters assisted at the scene, while Pine Hill firefighters stood by at Rescue's fire hall. Chojnacki estimated there were between 45-50 firefighters battling the blaze.
Cheektowaga police closed Walden Avenue between Haller and Woodell avenues during the blaze.
The house was the subject of demolition discussions in 2001. In fact, the town purchased the vacant structure in 2001, with the intention of razing it.
Supervisor Dennis H. Gabryszak, while acknowledging the interior architectural value, said in a 2001 interview with the Times that he believed the building was not worth saving. In 2002, a majority of the Town Board voted to demolish the structure and turn the area into a parking lot.
However, preservation groups stepped forward, demanding that the home- with its unique dovetail designed staircase and hand-carved floor joists equally unique to the 1850s- be saved.
"I deeply regret the loss of this structure," said Councilmember Thomas M. Johnson, who was among those seeking to preserve the building. " We've lost a treasure."
The structure was razed Tuesday morning in an emergency demolition.
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