Jamestown firefighters responded to the fire when it was reported at 4:58 a.m. Sunday. The fire department responded with two engine companies, one ladder company, one chief officer and nine firefighters. Assisting JFD were officers from the Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Alstar EMS, representatives from National fuel and Jamestown’s Department of Development.

Engine Four deployed a 2 ½ inch line with a master stream to the rear of the structure. Crews from Ladder One attempted to enter the front of the home but due to the amount of fire command staff advised teams to attack the fire from the exterior of the building only. Ladder One was then used to fight the fire from the attic and roof.

“The structure was not occupied and was targeted for demolition prior to the fire,” said Crystal Surdyk, Jamestown director of development. “My department had the rest of the structure demolished because of dangers it posed to the public.”

Surdyk also explained that this property had already been procured, prior to the fire, by the Chautauqua County Land Bank and identified for demolition.

Firefighters are pictured examining the exterior of a home at 59 Tower St. after a fire early Sunday morning.

“This property had already been cited numerous times in the past,” she said.

A home at 59 Tower St., Jamestown, is pictured after a fire early Sunday morning. Photos courtesy City of Jamestown