A house fire on Jefferson Avenue and Niagara Street in Canandaigua killed 98-year-old Saverio Campagna.
Firefighters pulled Campagna from the burning home on Saturday, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, 13 WHAM reports. His wife and daughter managed to escape and were treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital before being released.
Following the fire, the Canandaigua Professional Firefighters Union Local 298 raised concerns about staffing shortages.
“Four firefighters cannot search for a trapped victim while simultaneously controlling a raging fire,” the union said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Mayor Palumbo acknowledged the need for additional career firefighting staff, citing reductions in volunteer ranks, and said the issue will be discussed during ongoing budget talks. The fire was determined to have started accidentally.
