Judge orders businesses out of Rochester warehouse over fire safety concerns

August 14, 2026 - 10:32

A Monroe County Supreme Court judge has issued a temporary order requiring businesses operating inside a large warehouse on Buffalo Road to cease operations immediately. The decision comes after the city of Rochester raised alarms about what officials described as a serious and immediate fire safety hazard at the property.

The order, which was handed down earlier this week, applies to all commercial tenants within the building. City inspectors had previously flagged multiple violations, including blocked exits, improper storage of flammable materials, and inadequate fire suppression systems. According to court documents, the conditions were severe enough that a fire could spread rapidly, putting workers and first responders at risk.

The warehouse, located in the western part of the city, has been used by several small businesses for storage and light manufacturing. The city filed the legal action after repeated warnings went unheeded. In her ruling, the judge noted that the continued operation of the facility posed an imminent threat to public safety.

Business owners affected by the order have been given a short window to retrieve essential documents and equipment, but all active work must stop until the property is brought into compliance. City officials say they are willing to work with the tenants to address the violations, but they will not allow the building to reopen until a full inspection confirms it is safe.

No timeline has been set for when the businesses might resume operations. The case is expected to return to court in the coming weeks for a follow-up hearing.