Fire causes $70K in damage to Lockport home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Saturday night fire caused $70,000 in damage to a multi-unit residential structure on North Transit Street in Lockport, fire officials announced.

Authorities said at 10:37 p.m., crews responded to a call reporting visible flames and upon arrival, fire was coming out of two first floor windows on the side and back of the house, along with the back porch and exterior siding of the back wall.

Hoses were deployed to extinguish fire on the porch, siding, first floor bedroom and attic.

According to officials, direct fire damage was contained to the back half of the building on both floors, but there was heat, smoke and water damage present throughout the whole structure.

Several thousand gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire and crews operated on the scene for approximately four hours, fire officials said.

Authorities said no smoke detectors were found in the building, but the occupants of the units were home when the fire broke out and were able to exit.

No injuries were reported. Five adults and two children are displaced by the fire, officials said, and one cat was found deceased in a second floor apartment.

Fire officials said the fire is believed to be accidental in nature, but investigators are looking into an unattended candle as a possible cause.