Explosion In Gates, New York Levels Home And Spreads Fire To Others

There was a massive fire following an explosion in the Town of Gates early Wednesday evening. It happened just after 6:00 p.m. on Noel Dr., near Lyell Rd. and flattened a house there.

Neighbors from some distance away reported hearing or feeling the explosion, and seeing the fireball in the sky.

Gates fire officials say the fire spread to two other houses on the street. Before the on-duty firefighters got there, an off-duty firefighter was able to evacuate those other two homes and officials say his swift action saved the lives of people living there.

The incident became a four alarm fire, involving more than 10 fire districts from the greater Rochester area and more than 120 firefighters.

Gates fire officials say that the person who owned the home that was destroyed was located safe and away from the location when the explosion happened.