Please see below for the official press release regarding the 9/6/2024 house fire on Englewood Avenue -

September 6, 2024
Release By: James Stauffiger, Chief of Police, Town of Tonawanda Police Department

TTPD Contact: Captain Joseph M. Milosich
Email: jmilosich@tonawanda.ny.us
Ellwood Contact: Public Information Office
Email: publicinfoofficer@ellwoodfd.org

Fatal House Fire

On September 6, 2024, at around 4:30 AM, Town of Tonawanda Police responded to a residential fire at 557 Englewood Ave.
The Ellwood Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to the scene, where fire chiefs arrived to confirm heavy smoke coming from the structure. The automatic mutual-aid response was requested, while the first apparatus from EVFD arrived on the scene and immediately began rescue and fire extinguishing operations.

Two individuals were reported to be inside the home at the time of the emergency. Jeannie O'Day, 75 years old, was rescued from the fire by three passersby and was taken to ECMC for treatment due to smoke inhalation. Unfortunately, the second resident, Mary D. Rogers, 71 years old, was unable to escape and passed away at the scene. The fire is believed to have been caused by cigarette smoking.
With multiple hose lines and crews in place, the fire was able to be extinguished by the Town of Tonawanda and Villiage of Kenmore departments.

The Town of Tonawanda Police Department's Criminal Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with the assistance of the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office and Erie County Sheriff's Office Fire Investigator.
No further details will be provided at this time. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Town of Tonawanda Police Department at (716) 879-6614 or our confidential tip line at (716) 879-6606.

The Ellwood Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank the efforts of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Town of Tonawanda Paramedics, Erie County Sheriff's Office, Kenilworth Vol Fire Co. # 1, Kenmore Volunteer Fire Department, Sheridan Park Fire, Brighton Volunteer Fire Co #5, and River Road Volunteer Fire Company for their assistance.