OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford The Dunkirk, East Dunkirk and Fredonia fire departments all rolled to a fire at the Bargain Monkey, 10676 Bennett Road Extension in the town of Dunkirk, a little after 7 Monday evening. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the building. Alstar Ambulance and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department were at the scene as well. A tanker from Sheridan Fire Department was also called to respond. Crews remained at the scene past dusk.

An overheated lithium ion battery was reportedly the source of a fire that broke out Monday evening at a town of Dunkirk business.

In a news release, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office said the fire at the Bargain Monkey and Exit 59 Auctions, 10676 Bennett Road Ext., was ruled accidental in nature.

Firefighters from Dunkirk, East Dunkirk and Fredonia were called to the commercial structure around 7 p.m. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the building.

Alstar Ambulance and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office were at the scene as well.

After the fire was extinguished, the county’s Fire Investigation Team was requested to conduct a cause and origin investigation.

On Facebook, Exit 59 Auctions released the following statement: “At this time, We want to thank the brave fire fighters and support personnel from Dunkirk, East Dunkirk, West Dunkirk, Sheridan and Fredonia Fire Departments. Along with Dunkirk PD and Chautauqua Co. Sheriff Dept. for their quick response in containing the fire that broke out in our warehouse this evening. We are all very grateful to have the best, well trained and most professional first responders in the county! Thank you again from all of us!”