A fire that displaced three families in Jamestown on Monday morning was caused by a child playing with a lighter, according to the Jamestown Fire Department.
At 8:47 a.m., a 911 call reported a bedroom fire in the first-floor apartment of 85 Hazzard St., a three-family rental unit.
According to Bill Johnston, acting deputy fire chief, crews were dispatched and upon arrival, flames were visible from the first-floor bedroom in the front of the house.
"It took about 15 minutes to get the fire under control," he said. "There is extensive fire, heat, smoke and water damage to the first floor; water and smoke damage in the basement apartment and heat and smoke damage in the second-floor apartment."
Battalion Chief Don Woodfield said at the scene that firefighters rescued a dog from the apartment and a cat from the second floor.
Woodfield said the department was able to respond quickly and operate the way they did because there was a full crew of 12 firefighters Monday. As a way to save money during a tough budget year, the city has proposed cutting that number to nine, which Woodfield said would have changed the story's ending.
"Station 3 on Newland Avenue was open and as soon as we got there, all three floors of the building were searched and we immediately began fighting the fire," he said. "We were only able to operate the way we did because we had that extra company of three men. We were able to ensure that everyone was indeed out of the house and put the fire out quickly. When we are running with nine, we won't be able to do it like that."
Hazzard Street between Prather and Newland avenues remained closed to traffic for several hours until fire investigators cleared the scene.
The Chautauqua County Chapter of the American Red Cross was called and is assisting at least one of the families with housing, food and clothing.
