TOWN OF NIAGARA: Smoke reported, but no fire at Military Road Wegmans

By Rick Forgione<br><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Rick</a>
Greater Niagara Newspapers

January 10, 2009 02:11 am

— TOWN OF NIAGARA — A report of smoke coming from the roof of Wegmans forced about a dozen employees out into the cold late Friday and closed the Military Road supermarket for more than an hour.
Store manager Jim Mapes, who was at home at the time of the incident, said he believes no customers were in the store during the evacuation and about 10 to 15 night-shift employees were on duty.
“We got lucky. It was at a time when everyone was sleeping.” he said.
Town of Niagara Active Hose Volunteer Fire Co. and Lewiston Upper Mountain Fire Co. responded to the scene shortly before 11 p.m.
Active Hose Assistant Chief Dan Hosie said there was a call of smoke coming from Wegmans roof, but a thorough check showed no evidence of a fire or equipment malfunction.
The store was temporarily closed down as firefighters used a ladder truck to gain access to the roof to check generators connected to the store’s refrigeration units.
Mapes said there was no smoke seen inside the store, and all of the equipment and machinery was in good working condition.
No fire alarms went off inside the store, and no injuries or damages were reported.
Firefighters left the scene shortly before midnight.
A police officer on patrol reported the incident.