June 27th, 2025
On May 1st, 2025, a significant incident occurred involving a fire in downtown Buffalo, where a four-alarm fire broke out at 36 Church Street, severely damaging a law office. Firefighters arrived a little after noon and heightened the alarm to four by 1:04 p.m. due to the intensity and speed of the spread. With over 100 firefighters involved, the blaze was brought under control by 4:00 p.m. Buffalo Fire Commissioner and Mayor have stated that emergency personnel responded quickly, which prevented more extensive destruction. The city urged the public to avoid the area during cleanup.
Thankfully, all employees evacuated safely, and the fire did not injure any civilians. Officials traced the fire’s origin to a rear electric stove burner left on in a second-floor unit. A melted substance found on the burner confirmed this is the likely unintentional cause. The blaze caused approximately $6 million in damage. Built in the 1960s without sprinklers, the affected structure will be demolished.
Nearby buildings, including the Verizon building and the historic Guaranty Building, also sustained water and smoke damage. Hodgson Russ LLP, headquartered in the Guaranty Building, reported water damage across several floors but confirmed that it did not lose any client data. The firm will continue remote operations while teams complete damage assessments and air quality testing. It will share further updates with the public as recovery efforts progress. Hodgson Russ plans to reopen once officials deem the building safe.
Risk Logic engineers can conduct site inspections, recommend fire alarms connected to the fire department, and deliver fire protection solutions. RLI helps high-rise business owners reduce fire risks through hazard mitigation strategies and regular assessments. Contact us to help protect your facility and reduce fire risks.
