At 2002 hours the tones dropped for a reported house fire at 43 Bay Street in the village of Potsdam. Engine 49, operated by Fire Driver Robert Crowe and staffed by Captain Conor Corbett, Firefighter Myles Farrell, and Firefighter Justin Perry, responded immediately, arriving on scene at 2004 hours. Members encountered two story wood-frame dwelling with smoke coming from the attic and eaves and fire on the exterior of the building on the BC corner. Members utilized a 2.5 gallon water extinguisher to knock the fire down while stretching the initial handline and hand laying LDH to a nearby hydrant. Chief Dave McGregor arrived on scene and requested a second alarm for Potsdam Fire and mutual aid from West Potsdam Fire and West Stockholm Fire, with Hannawa Falls Fire moving up to Potsdam Station. Once the fire was knocked down an extensive overhaul operation was undertaken to ensure that all hot spots had been extinguished. Fighting the fire was further complicated by the weather, with a temperature at the time of the fire of -13°F. There was no one at home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. Potsdam Police and the Village of Potsdam DPW also responded to the scene to provide assistance. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. All units were back in service at 2250 hours.
Units:
Engine 49 (Fire Driver R. Crowe), Tower 5 (FF R. Robar), Engine 48 (FF W. McLennan), Rescue 14 (FF W. Enslow)
Mutual Aid:
West Potsdam Fire, West Stockholm Fire, Hannawa Falls Fire
Chief David McGregor confers with Fire Investigator Brian Sullivan of the St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team.
DPW employee Leland Cota spreads sand to ensure the safety of firefighters working on the scene.
