Mayor: Cause Of Falconer Fire May Come In A Couple Of Days


FALCONER – Chautauqua County Fire Investigators left the scene at 15 W. Main St. on Monday just 24 hours after another devastating fire changed the small village skyline forever. 
“I think they’re going to be working on their report and analyzing their investigation and they should have their report in a couple of days,” said Falconer Mayor Jim Rensel.
Rensel called the scene where a fire raged out-0f-control “sickening” , and promised the community would bounce back from this latest tragedy.
“The owner of the property is working with his insurance company as to how to progress from here,” said Rensel.
“I feel bad for the owner, Brian Nelson,” Rensel added. “He’s been part of that building, either working in it or owning it, since he was 16-years-old.
Fire officials have maintained a 24-hour presence in front of the dilapidated structure because of the threat of collapse.
The Mayor believes the community will rise to the challenge like it does with other challenges.
“As soon as the call went out, my phone was ringing for people that wanted to help, said Rensel. “The Superintendent of the school called, along with the President of the School Board to let us know that the school was open for people that were displaced.”
He said donations for clothes are still coming, and all of the people that were affected by the fire have been taken care of.
WNYNewsNow Multimedia Journalist Justin Gould contributed to this report.