Niagara County officials say the building housing Barker Village Hall and Library is a total loss, after a fire overnight.
The Niagara County Sheriff says several 911 calls began to come in just before midnight Sunday. Residents reported seeing flames coming from the 8706 Main St. building, a former New York Central Railroad station.
Town of Barker, Somerset, Olcott, Gasport and Lyndonville Fire companies all responded and worked to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.
The Sheriff had closed Quaker Road and Main Street in Barker overnight, but they reopened Monday just after 5:30 a.m. However, the Sheriff says Pallister Avenue will remain closed between Main Street and Church Street until further notice due to a gas leak.
The Sheriff did not say whether a gas leak caused the fire. Investigators are still trying to determine the origin and cause.
"Right now, it's early to speculate as to a cause, we've left that in the hands of the Niagara County fire investigators and we're certain that will be forthcoming information," said Barker Village Mayor Aaron Nellist.
Nellist said he is busy trying to keep government operations running. He said the village police department is located on East Avenue. Officials are looking at other village services running out of that location, as well.
"Right now, our equipment for DPW, as far as plows and things like that, are housed at a different location, so there shouldn't be any service interruption," Nellist said. "The police department is still okay and we will try to keep everything as seamless as possible."
