A 62-year-old woman and her family’s four dogs died in a fire early Sunday that caused an estimated $1 million in damage to a home in the Spaulding Lake neighborhood in Clarence.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman Monday afternoon as Joan S. Wozer.
Clarence Fire Company Chief Brett Hanford, who was first on the scene of the fire at 2:43 a.m., told The Buffalo News on Monday that three people and one dog were able to escape the flames.
Erie County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jeremy Lehning said the investigation continues into the cause of the fire at 4720 Spaulding Drive. Anyone with photos or videos relevant to the fire investigation is asked to contact the voicemail of Detective Scott Kuhlmey at 716-858-2579.
When Hanford arrived at the house, he said the first floor was fully engulfed, with fire billowing through bay windows, front door and second-floor windows. His company was joined by Clarence Center and Main-Transit firefighters just a few minutes after the 911 call.
People are also reading…
The fire appeared to have originated in the rear right of the house, he said, because that area had the “highest concentration of char.”
Given the size of the home and volume of fire, Hanford quickly called for second and third alarms, which led to assistance in firefighters and equipment from Harris Hill, Newstead, East Amherst and Swormville fire companies.
A rescue attempt was made for Wozer, who was in a second-floor bedroom, by dousing the flames as a ladder was set up.
The $1 million in damages was split between $700,000 in structural damage and $300,000 in contents.
“The way the fire service works together – it’s truly remarkable and amazing to watch,” Hanford said. The Clarence chief praised the coordinated response, efforts of dispatchers and responsibility of other companies that helped with standby.
Ben Tsujimoto can be reached at btsujimoto@buffnews.com, at (716) 849-6927 or on Twitter at @Tsuj10.