Massive Ovid Fire Draws Multi-Agency Response, Including Wayne County Crews

The fire broke out at the Ovid Big M grocery store around 6 p.m. and quickly engulfed neighboring buildings along Main Street.

Officials urge the public to avoid the area and respect the barricades that have been put in place for safety reasons.

• Main Street is closed to all traffic from the Library to the Community Bank.

• East Seneca Street is closed at The Coffee Shop.

• West Seneca Street is closed before the back parking lot.

The fire continues to smolder, and heavy smoke remains in the area. Fire crews are expected to return at 9:00 AM Wednesday to continue monitoring conditions. Residents should remain cautious and follow local advisories.

A devastating fire tore through a block of businesses and residences in downtown Ovid on Tuesday evening, reducing multiple buildings to rubble and prompting a massive emergency response.

Reports indicate that approximately 100 firefighters responded to the emergency, with mutual aid provided by several agencies from neighboring counties. Firefighters from across the region, including crews from Clyde and Savannah, were dispatched to assist in battling the inferno. Officials issued an urgent countywide call for all available fire departments and tanker trucks to respond as the flames spread rapidly.

According to the Ovid Fire Department, the fire broke out at the Ovid Big M grocery store around 6 p.m. and quickly engulfed neighboring buildings along Main Street. Despite firefighters' best efforts, structures from the Big M to the Italian Kitchen were completely destroyed. Only the old Barber Shop remains standing but sustained damage.

Images shared by first responders showed the intense blaze and the collapsed remnants of the buildings. By late Tuesday night, thick smoke continued to hang over the area, and officials urged residents to avoid Main Street between the library and the community bank.

In response to the high water usage needed to battle the fire, Seneca County officials issued a water conservation order late Tuesday night. Ovid residents are asked to limit their water consumption until further notice, as supplies have been significantly depleted. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact the Village of Ovid Water Department or the Seneca County Health Department.

NYSEG has reported over 200 power outages in the area, though it is not yet confirmed whether they are directly related to the fire.

While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the fire has left a deep impact on the community. Officials are expected to provide updates as the investigation continues.