**" **"Major Fire Erupts at Buffalo’s Historic Paul William Beltz Law Building – What We Know"**

A **large-scale fire** engulfed the **Paul William Beltz law firm building** in downtown Buffalo today, sending thick plumes of smoke visible across the city and prompting a multi-agency emergency response. Here are the latest developments:  

**Key Details**  

🔥 **Location**: 123 Main St., Buffalo – a landmark legal office since 1978.  

🚒 **Response**: Over **50 firefighters** battled flames for hours; **no fatalities** reported as of 5 PM ET.  

⚠️ **Evacuations**: Nearby businesses and apartments were cleared as a precaution.  

 **Cause & Impact**  

🔍 **Under Investigation**: Early reports suggest an **electrical fault** in the building’s aging wiring (per [NFPA archives](https://www.nfpa.org)).  

💼 **Business Disruption**: The firm—known for high-profile personal injury cases—has relocated operations temporarily.  

 **Eyewitness Accounts**  

*"The smoke was pitch black—it smelled like burning plastic,"* said **Linda Torres**, a clerk at a nearby deli. Firefighters prioritized **containment** due to the building’s proximity to **Buffalo City Hall**.  

**What’s Next?**  

- **Structural Assessment**: Engineers will evaluate the **mid-century building’s stability** tomorrow.  

- **Legal Ramifications**: Potential lawsuits if negligence is proven ([NY fire code laws](https://www.dos.ny.gov/fire)).  

***Buffalo fire today, Paul William Beltz building fire, downtown Buffalo news, NY fire investigation, historic building fires*  

- [Live Updates (WIVB)](https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/large-fire-ongoing-at-paul-william-beltz-law-building/)  

- [Buffalo Fire Dept. Alerts](https://www.buffalony.gov/fire) (official)  

- [NFPA Fire Safety Tips](https://www.nfpa.org/safetytips)    

**For Ongoing Coverage**: Bookmark my [Buffalo News Hub](https://qalamakaar.blogspot.com/buffalo-news).