Buffalo, N.Y. — A quiet Riverside street erupted into tragedy Saturday evening when a house fire claimed the life of a 71-year-old man, identified by authorities as Randel Warner. The blaze, which began just after 6 p.m. at a 1½-story frame home on 112 Rano Street, left the neighborhood stunned as firefighters battled rising flames and afterward found Warner inside the wreckage.
According to a spokesperson with the Buffalo Fire Department, the fire’s origin appeared to be in the front section of the home. Fire crews responded swiftly, but their efforts could not prevent the worst outcome: Warner was discovered dead inside. As is standard, officials are treating the cause of the fire as undetermined pending a full investigation.
During the response, one firefighter sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Fire officials said the injuries were not life-threatening, and the firefighter was expected to recover.
Early assessments put the structure’s loss at about $150,000, with another $75,000 in damage to the home’s contents. Two adjacent homes, at 98 Rano Street and 114 Rano Street, suffered exposure damage estimated at $10,000. Though the affected neighboring homes were not consumed by fire, heat, smoke, and embers left lasting harm.
In the aftermath, officials and neighbors alike mourned Warner’s passing and expressed appreciation for the bravery of first responders who entered a dangerous situation. The Buffalo Fire Department continues to work with investigators to determine what sparked the blaze, and the community has been left to grapple with loss and lingering questions.
For many in Riverside, the fire is a stark reminder of how quickly domestic life can turn perilous. Still, amid sorrow, the narrative remains one of dedication — of those firefighters who risked their lives, and of a respectful outpouring of grief for a man whose life ended far too soon.