BATAVIA, N.Y. — A fire on Hutchins Street in Batavia caused a woman to jump from the second story of the home. A man had to be rescued by fire crews. Willie and Michelle Kemp live in the first floor of the burnt building.
"She jumped out the back window. He was hanging out the front window trying to breathe. The smoke was all around him, nothing but smoke around him. He couldn't breathe," said Willie.
They were able to get out of the building before the fire grew.
"At first I thought people were up there fighting. I had no idea it was a fire, but she said she could smell smoke," Willie said.
"I could smell it. So we came out and could see the flames on the wall over there," Michelle said.
They said the fire started on the porch, trapping people upstairs.
"One person jumped from the second story window. Our crews were able to put a ladder up and assist the second person out of the second story window in the front of the building," Captain Robert Fix.
Both were brought to a nearby hospital. He said the woman who jumped had serious injuries. He also said the heat and humidity made it difficult for crews to battle the fire.
"We went to a second alarm and then we had additional engine and truck company from the town of Batavia, mostly because of the head and humidity here tonight and the guys working and how hot it is to relieve crews so we could rotate crews more often," Captain Fix said.
At one point, firefighters had to evacuate the building to contain the fire before going back in. Crews from multiple agencies worked together to knock down the flames.
"The building is not livable." Captain Fix said.
He said the Salvation Army will help those displaced by the fire.
"Yeah, it's done. We were lucky to get out," Willie said.
"Thank God we all god out. Everybody," Michelle said.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
