Identity of victim in fatal South Buffalo fire released

Musial was one of the four residents of 167 Parkview Ave. where firefighters responded to a call just after 11 p.m. Sunday, they said. Investigators have determined an unattended lit candle was the cause of the fire. 

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions upon arrival, rescuing one of the residents. Two others made it out on their own while the third jumped to safety from a third-floor window, fire officials added. 

Musial was pronounced deceased from a cardiac arrest at Erie County Medical Center, spokesman Michael DeGeorge said. 

The three survivors – two men, age 32 and 70, and a 71-year-old woman – were treated at local hospitals for smoke inhalation and burns, he added. 

One firefighter suffered second-degree burns during the rescue mission, he said. The firefighter has since been treated and released from ECMC. 

The damage is estimated at $250,000, while two nearby garages suffered exposure damage worth nearly $60,000, fire investigators said.