The firefighter was reported missing shortly after crews arrived at the building, which held a theatrical costumes shop. Renaldo said the situation quickly deteriorated and firefighters had to evacuate to escape the collapsing interior.
NEW YORK FIREFIGHTER DEAD AFTER FOUR-ALARM FIRE, BUILDING COLLAPSE IN BUFFALO
"The rest of our firefighters on the scene were able to safely evacuate and unfortunately, he was not able to," he said at an afternoon news conference.
The firefighter’s identity was not immediately released.
Buffalo, New York, firefighters console each other following confirmation that a colleague died inside a burning commercial building. (Derek Gee/The Buffalo News via AP)
Rescuers initially held out hope that the missing firefighter would be found alive as crews tried for hours to reach the spot where he was believed trapped. Eventually the scene turned grim and firefighters stopped to salute as an ambulance drove away from the scene.
Mayor Byron Brown confirmed the death Wednesday afternoon.
"I am deeply saddened to report that a member of the Buffalo Fire Department has lost his life while bravely fighting the four-alarm fire on Main Street in Downtown Buffalo today," he said in a statement. "I ask everyone to keep the family and fellow firefighters in your prayers."
BODYCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS NJ HOUSE EXPLOSION WHILE FIREFIGHTERS STILL INSIDE
Brown ordered flags on city buildings lowered to half-staff.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Renaldo said workers were using blowtorches on the building's exterior before the fire and that heat may have transferred through brick or mortar to the interior and ignited paper or other combustibles.
"It looks like a possibility that the fire was smoldering for some time inside the building before anyone was made aware," he said.
The building is owned by former U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs and was being renovated. Brown said inspectors determined after the fire that it was unstable and would be immediately demolished.