After a massive warehouse fire rocked Gorham on August 30, residents say their fears were ignored, according to RochesterFirst.
Locals reported hearing explosions and seeing flaming barrels fly into the air. Many now say they raised safety concerns months ago about the facility, which stored ethanol-based hand sanitizer. Public records show town officials and emergency crews flagged the site for fire hazards and code violations back in May and June.
Now, residents are demanding accountability—not just for the danger to their families, but for the environmental damage to nearby Flint Creek.
Gallahan calls for investigation after Gorham warehouse fire
A fire destroyed a warehouse in Gorham on Saturday evening, prompting a large emergency response, a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, and now calls for a state investigation into the site’s operations.
The blaze broke out around 5:20 p.m. at ECO Operations on Dewey Avenue. Crews from multiple fire departments in Ontario and Yates counties responded, along with Homeland Security.
Ontario County Undersheriff Michael Rago said a volatile substance outside the building spread to the warehouse, fueling the fire. Deputies blocked off Dewey Avenue from Lake to Lake Road to Route 245 while crews worked at the scene.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office directed residents near the warehouse to remain inside due to smoke conditions. Officials said the building was empty at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The structure is expected to be demolished.
Gorham Town Supervisor Dale Stell issued a statement thanking emergency responders for their efforts. “We are fortunate to have so much support from our surrounding communities, and we are keeping our first responders in our thoughts as they continue to work tirelessly into the night,” Stell said.
Town officials said they will coordinate with the DEC, New York State Fire, and the Sheriff’s Office as the response continues. Undersheriff Rago said fire crews are expected to remain on scene through Sunday.
Gallahan calls for investigation
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) issued a statement Sunday night calling the incident “entirely preventable” and urging further action.
“I am grateful for the brave men and women who stepped up last night in Gorham to battle this extreme fire. Their response was quick and their actions nothing short of heroic. The best of our community was on display last night as response from the entire region came to Gorham.
Unfortunately, this disaster was entirely preventable. The warehouse was filled with highly flammable expired hand sanitizer, and the owner, Eco Operations LLC, Eduard Zaydman, repeatedly ignored both town codes and state laws, failing to install a fire suppression system or obtain the proper licenses required to store such materials. The owner has even attempted to illegally dump waste from this site. This reckless and irresponsible behavior has now led to a fire that threatened lives, property, and the environment. I am immediately referring this matter to the New York State Attorney General’s Office for investigation.”
Check out photos and video from the scene below:
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