North Tonawanda firefighters responded to a fire at the former Lowry Middle School building on Payne Avenue Wednesday night.
Members of the North Tonawanda Fire Department responded to the now vacant building about 8:30 p.m. after Niagara County Fire Control received reports of smoke coming from the third floor of the building.
NT’s Truck 1, Rescue 1, Engine 4 and Engine 6 responded to the building under the supervision of Assistant Chief Timothy Berecz. A fire was confirmed on the third floor with smoke billowing from several windows. A second alarm was activated, requesting Engine 7 and all off-duty manpower to the scene.
The initial attack crew, led by Captain Matthew Smolinksi entered the building through a door on the southeast side of the building and found fire on the third floor in an art classroom with a photography lab. They encountered heavy smoke and high heat conditions throughout the third floor but were able to extinguish the blaze.
Due to the large size of the building, extensive overhaul and ventilation took place. The fire was deemed under control about 9:10 p.m. with fire investigators taking control of the scene.
NT fire officials noted that the building is currently privately owned and has been vacant for many years. Plans were put in place to make sure the building was fully secured.
No injuries were reported at the scene.
The cause of the fire was under investigation Wednesday night. Fire officials noted that there was no power to the building at the time of the fire. The blaze caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the building. The property, at 621 Payne Avenue, is valued at $700,000, according to NT fire officials.