A fire broke out at 110-118 South Park Ave. in downtown Buffalo’s Cobblestone District Tuesday evening.
The fire was first reported around 7:50 p.m. Fire officials say it started on the first floor of the vacant building and spread throughout.
The City of Buffalo has been using eminent domain procedures in an attempt to acquire the two properties there.
While there was no word on whether demolition of a building is needed, Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo did say parts of the structure are compromised. The city has no plans to pursue an emergency demolition at this time.
Fire officials say damage is estimated at $1.1 million and the cause is under investigation.
Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, who represents the district where the fire took place, says he is outraged over the court system's process and that this could have been prevented.
"This case first hit the courts when I was in high school. I am an elected two-term council member now," he said. "As you can tell, this has taken ridiculously long. Not ridiculously — insanely. It's a failure of the courts and their delayed action with these historic structures. So I have a real pit in my stomach that we didnt make it to the finish line with the courts and then this happens."
The fire comes just days after famed Buffalo dive bar The Old Pink on Allen Street was destroyed when a massive fire broke out at the location.