BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Fire Department responded to another fire at the former St. Ann's Church, the second in less than a week, around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to fire department officials, the fire at the former church at Broadway and Emslie was brought under control and the cause was determined to be arson.
This marks the third fire on the St. Ann's property this year, with the most recent one on Friday. After last week's fire was brought under control, Fire Commissioner Daniel Pizzarro said that no electricity or gas was running inside, leading him to believe that the cause of the fire was man-made, but he said the exact cause was under investigation.
In January, firefighters battled a four-alarm fire in the former St. Ann's School Building. Officials said that over 120 personnel responded and that damage was estimated at $600,000.
In February, after the fire at the former school building, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan promised taxpayers they wouldn't have to foot the bill for demolition, holding the owner responsible.
"You have a responsibility to secure your building," he said. "We're going to be out of the business of demolishing or repairing privately owned structures at the taxpayer expense."
In April, we spoke to Sheryl Williams, who has lived across from St. Ann’s since 1960, who raised concerns about the church. Williams said, "It’s a disgrace," and called for repair or demolition of the building.
Preservation Buffalo Niagara released the following statement on social media regarding the fire:
"The St. Ann’s property owners are unresponsive and refuse to secure the building. Preservation Buffalo Niagara calls on the City of Buffalo to pull out all the stops to wrestle this landmark church from its negligent absentee owner. Enough is enough!"
