Elmira Man Dies Of Injuries Sustained In Fire

[Elmira Telegram 243]

On Wednesday afternoon, a Chemung County Sheriff's deputy on patrol in the Town of Southport noted a large amount of smoke coming from the area of South Main Street near the Southern Tier Logistics building. At the same time, fire companies were being dispatched to the same location for a structure fire and burn victim. The deputy responded immediately to offer assistance to the burn victim as well as responding fire departments. 

When emergency crews arrived, they found 55 year old Thomas Byrnes in the parking lot with burns described as covering a majority of his body. An employee was with Mr. Byrnes waiting for help to arrive. 

According to the sheriff's department, Byrnes ran TJ's Ultimate Auto Repair in a separate building from the Logistics property. 

When emergency crews arrived, Mr. Byrnes was conscious and alert, and was airlifted to a medical burn unit in Syracuse by Guthrie Air. However Mr. Byrnes later died as a result of his injuries. 

The fire remains under investigation and the sheriff's office is working in conjunction with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and the Chemung County Fire Coordinator's office to try and determine the cause of the fire. 

Multiple agencies responded to the fire, including Southport Fire Department, Elmira Fire Department, Webb Mills Fire Department, Elmira Heights Fire Department. In addition to the Chemung County Sheriff's Department, Elmira Police, New York State Police, Erway Ambulance and Guthrie Air Helicopter were on scene. 

[Chris 1,539]

Such an awful way to go. 

[Kevin 322]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Such an awful way to go. 

I can't think of one much worse. Hopefully his pain was managed with drugs. 

[Chris 1,539]

18 minutes ago, Kevin said:

Hopefully his pain was managed with drugs. 

You can bet on it.