Firefighter Jason Arno, 37, died while fighting a three-alarm fire on Main Street downtown Wednesday morning.
Fire investigators believe the fire may have been started by work being done on the structure with blowtorches. The long-smoldering fire appeared to create a backdraft that knocked down several firefighters and caused a structural collapse that trapped Arno inside the building.
The Buffalo Fire Department announced Arno’s name this morning, noting that the three-year firefighter was a husband and father. He worked on Engine 2.
Arno was believed to be about 30 feet inside the building when the collapse occurred. Because of the instability of the building, it took firefighters over an hour to bring him from the building.
An emergency demolition order has been made by the city, and the building is in the process of being demolished.
