1 person dead after blaze destroys car repair shop in Southport, cause under investigation

Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette
Updated ·2 min read

One person is dead after fire ripped through a small building Tuesday afternoon at Southern Tier Commerce Center, 1051 S. Main St. in the Town of Southport, just south of Elmira High School.

The Chemung County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Thomas Byrnes, 55.

The call came in shortly after 4 p.m., and the structure was fully engulfed in flames when the first units arrived on the scene, according to Southport Fire Chief James Allington.

Southern Tier Commerce Center Facility Manager Kevin Knapp said the structure, which was near the Southern Tier Logistics building at the commerce center, was leased by TJ's Ultimate Auto Repair, and that Byrnes, the owner, was the only occupant inside at the time.

Byrnes, who had burns covering a majority of his body, was conscious and alert when medical personnel arrived, according to Sheriff Bill Schrom.

He was airlifted by Guthrie 1 to the Upstate Medical Center burn unit in Syracuse. Schrom confirmed he later died from his injuries.

Flames destroyed this building at Southern Tier Commerce Center in Southport on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The lone occupant, who ran an auto repair shop, was severely burned and later died at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Flames destroyed this building at Southern Tier Commerce Center in Southport on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The lone occupant, who ran an auto repair shop, was severely burned and later died at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.

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The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. In addition to the Chemung County Sheriff's Office criminal investigation division, the Chemung County Fire and Emergency Management Office and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control are taking part in the probe.

Southport got mutual assistance at the scene from the Elmira, Pine City, Wellsburg, Elmira Heights and Webb Mills fire departments, along with New York State Police and Erway Ambulance, while units from the Horseheads Fire Department stood by at the Southport fire hall, Allington said.

All units finally cleared the scene around 10:45 p.m., he said.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Southport car repair shop fire kills one person, cause investigated