Williamsville business helps residents stay warm as crews battle fire

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A business in Williamsville showed how a small act of kindness can go a long way after opening their shop up to neighbors who were evacuated from a fire Saturday.

Around 9 p.m., firefighters were sent to a home on Highland Drive to battle a fire that started in the attic. Officials said seven individuals with special needs were evacuated and waited outside in the cold while crews worked to contain the fire.

One-Eyed Cat Brewing is located right across the home. At first, co-owner Jay Woodworth brought the residents some blankets, but then a firefighter asked him if the people could stay inside the restaurant to keep warm.

"You don't hesitate when it comes to community, you always make sure you take care of the people that take care of you," Woodworth said. "We wanted to make sure they were safe and taken care of."

The business' customers even helped out.

"The patrons that were in here helped right along too, helped carry wheelchairs up into the facility and make sure everyone was comfortable," Woodworth said.

The Williamsville Fire Department posted on social media thanking the business for showing up for their neighbors and getting them out of the frigid cold:

"With the need to get them out of the cold, fire department personnel made the request of the neighboring restaurant on the corner, One-Eyed Cat Brewing, on their busy Saturday night, if they could offer respite to the evacuees from the house fire down the street. Without a question being asked, restaurant workers themselves came to assist with the relocation of these individuals off the street to the warmth of shelter the business was now offering. These staff members could not have been more accommodating in their sincere actions to assure respite for people in need.

In times when questions are raised about the world we live in, these acts are confirmation that there absolutely is much good in the world. As small as they were, they were not small at all.

The fire was quickly contained and extinguished, and WFD would like to thank all its mutual aid response."

"The community supports us all the time," Woodworth said. "We want to make sure we can support the community as well and making a difference whether it be big or small."