The neighborhood supports the LeRoy family, whose house burned down

LeRoy, New York – There are still charred walls, burned clothing, and shattered glass fragments at the scene of a tragic house fire in Genesee County.

When Michele Martinez’s house on East Main Road in LeRoy caught fire on Thursday night, she was away on business. She thought back to the horrifying call she had received from her daughter, who had broken the news over the phone while her family was down the road.

“Everybody didn’t know what happened or what was going on,” Martinez stated. “I’m glad no one was home. Our dogs were the main source of concern.”

The fire had been raging for a few minutes before emergency personnel arrived. Craig Johnson, the fire chief for LeRoy, stated that the agency needed to enlist the assistance of the other communities.

“As soon as I got there, I prompted a second alarm, which brought me double what I had initially coming,” stated Johnson. “I did make more calls after that. With all hands on deck, it was evident that additional personnel were required.”

Firefighters had to work through the basement and windows as they couldn’t enter. Due to heat exhaustion, one firefighter needed to be taken to the hospital. Johnson said the fireman is doing well.

“I didn’t get home until 3:30 in the morning, but my family was here and it was a long night for them,” Martinez said. “We’re secure. Unfortunately, it was tragic that we lost three of the four dogs.”

Martinez claimed that despite the tragic loss of her family’s house, the residents of LeRoy came together to show their support. In just three days, a fundraiser raised over $11,000 in funds.

This did not surprise Johnson.

Johnson stated, “Our community is great.” “It is irrelevant who is in need. The neighborhood works miracles.”

Martinez expressed her sincere gratitude for the help her family had received. If there is anything left of the house, we hope to reconstruct it in this neighborhood. The outside appears structurally sound, but the inside is in rather poor shape, so perhaps we can repair, remain in the neighborhood, and, if possible, pay it forward.”