AMHERST, N.Y. — September 23, 2026

Firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to a working detached garage fire on Roycroft Boulevard in Amherst, where a vehicle fire spread throughout the structure and caused an estimated $170,000 in total damage.

According to a press release from the Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office, the homeowner contacted Amherst Fire Control at approximately 1:40 p.m. to report a vehicle on fire inside a detached garage behind the residence. The Snyder Fire Department was initially dispatched, with Chief Timothy Oliver serving as incident commander.

Snyder First Assistant Chief Hudson was the first fire official to arrive and initially reported smoke showing. After further investigation, Hudson reported that the detached garage was fully involved in fire.

Chief Oliver then assumed command of the incident. Fire officials reported that Snyder Engine 1 had water on the fire within two minutes of arriving, and the blaze was declared under control at approximately 1:55 p.m.

Fire Causes Damage to Nearby Properties

The fire also caused exposure damage to neighboring properties. A shed, fence and the siding of a nearby Roycroft Boulevard residence sustained damage, while another shed on Darwin Drive received minimal exposure damage.

Officials estimated approximately $100,000 in structural damage to the property where the fire originated, along with another $50,000 in contents, including the vehicle. Approximately $20,000 in additional damage was reported to a neighboring shed and fence. No damage estimate was immediately available for the Darwin Drive property.

Fire officials listed the cause as a mechanical failure involving the vehicle inside the garage.

No injuries were reported.

Assisting the Snyder Fire Department were the Main-Transit Fire Department and Williamsville Fire Department, along with Amherst Police, Twin City Ambulance, the Amherst Fire Inspectors Office, National Fuel and National Grid.

Source: Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office