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Falconer fire not considered suspicious

The cause of a devastating fire in the village of Falconer on Sunday could not be determined by fire investigators due to the level of damage to the West Main Street building.

The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team said it interviewed witnesses and tenants of the property shortly after the fire was reported around 11:55 a.m. The team was also assisted during its “hands-on scene investigation” by members of the Falconer Fire Department at the time of the blaze, which occurred at 15 W. Main St.

Fire investigators believe the blaze originated in the south/center area of the building. Due to the amount of damage — as well as threat of a collapse — fire investigators were unable to get inside.

“Due to the dangerous conditions, the team had to rule the fire as undetermined, but nothing suspicious,” the county fire investigation team said in a press release.

Fire investigators said the were able to rescue three cats from the building’s second floor, which did not sustain as much fire damage. The animals were removed through a window with the help of the Falconer Fire Department’s ladder truck.

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