The village of Ovid has been left devastated after a massive fire destroyed much of Main Street.
Officials say a call for an apartment fire above the Big M supermarket in the small Seneca County village was made at 5:46 p.m. Tuesday. Multiple responding crews began checking the apartments for anyone who might have been trapped, but all were accounted for.
Fire officials say it took an enormous effort with more than 200 firefighters working nine hours or more get the fire under control, with 11 residences and six businesses impacted. Officials say they delt with multiple challenges in getting the fire under control, including water supply issues, freezing temperatures and strong winds and the icing up of equipment and personnel, along with the design and age of the structures.
According to the Ovid Fire Department, none of the buildings could be saved. That includes the Big M and the Italian Kitchen restaurant.
Police and fire officials say after interviewing several people, the source of the fire has been isolated to a charging device and an electrical outlet in an upstairs apartment.
"The resident of the apartment reported that she plugged in the charging device and noticed that it was smoking a few hours later after returning to the apartment," Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Thompson said. "She then gathered her children and fled the apartment."
Thompson says there were only minor injuries to first responders due to fighting the fire, but 15-20 residents were displaced and are being helped by the Red Cross.
"We had no [major] injuries," Ovid Fire Chief Timothy Westlake said. "We had no fatalities. For a fire this size and for as busy as that whole strip usually is with a diner, the Italian Kitchen, the laundromat and the Ovid Big M, plus all the apartments above all those locations, we are very, very fortunate."
"The significance of that block, all of our community is really the heart that, that we really have," Ovid Mayor Aaron Roisen said. "It's what so many people rely on. Day to day. It services hundreds, if not thousands of people in the area.”
"Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes this morning," said Ovid resident David Winters. "So I just had to come over and hopefully they are able to get some sleep by now. It's amazing with the cold, all the hoses lying around are so frozen there's no way they can get them back on or in their truck. We'll see what the resolve is of people in the community coming together and there will be impacts that people will remember for the rest of their lives that are victims of this."
A water conservation order is now in effect in the village as efforts to fight the fire depleted its water supply. Residents are being asked to be mindful of running the tap, showering and washing dishes until further notice to save water.
“It was the heart of the community," said Linda Langley, a 30-year Big Me employee. "And everybody from even all around would come to the Big M. It was it was just a community place.”
The Edith Ford Memorial Library is now serving as a heating center for those displaced by the fire, as well as police and fire personnel.
The Seneca Falls Police Department says it will serve as a drop-off site for physical donations and the Waterloo Fire Department says it will accept monetary donations for those affected.
"As sad as this day is, there's only one word that comes to my mind, and that's community," Thompson said. "Community is what we are and that's what will get the victims and Ovid through this tragedy. We are a great county and I am moved by the immediate outpouring of support for all those in need."
Officials say before they can take the next steps of removing debris, the fire must be put out fully. Main Street, a state highway, will remain closed until then.
Seneca County issued a health advisory on Wednesday, warning the community about the dangers they could face while cleaning up after the devastating blaze.
Health officials say soot and dirty water left behind from the fire could make people sick, while fine particles of ash from the fire can aggravate pre-existing respiratory issues.
They say residents in the area should clean their homes using damp dustclothes or wet mops as vacuum cleaners can actually spread soot.