Early Morning Vehicle Fire Starts Off The Day For Potsdam Firefighters

 
By Firefighter/EMT-I Robert Pierce
June 17, 2006
 

At 05:29 AM St. Lawrence County Central Dispatch in Canton received a "9-1-1" call reporting a car fire on Outer Market Street in front of Sears. Engine 48 went enroute with fire driver Pierce. As Engine 48 turned onto Market Street the smoke column rising from the car fire was visible. At the same time 36-1, Chief McGregor, arrived on the scene and advised a working car fire. Engine 48 arrived and a 1 3/4" attack line was stretched. The fire in the engine compartment was quickly knocked down. The vehicle driver stated the car quit and she coasted to the side of the road. Her passenger smelled gasoline and then noticed smoke pouring from engine compartment. Engine 48 returned to the station to top off it's water tank.

At 06:11 AM Potsdam Fire received a call from Potsdam Village DPW reporting smoke in the area of the railroad tracks/ Hazard Park area. Engine 48 again responded with fire driver Pierce and Past Chief Bob Robar. Engine 48 arrived in the area and began to search for the smoke. Chief McGregor responded to DPW and advised he could see the smoke and it was down the tracks towards Sisson crossing. He advised Engine 48 to send it's crew in behind Raquette Acres to access the tracks. Firefighter Robar took the wet can and Asst Chief Keleher and Firefighter James Corbett headed down the railroad tracks. They found the source of the smoke to be a camp fire. They talked with the subject involved and extinguished the fire. Potsdam Fire units returned to service at 06:50 AM.

Engine 48's third run of the day was for a MVA on Sisson Street near the railroad tracks. Engine 48 responded with fire driver Crowe and found 1 car off the road into a tree. The driver was out of the car on arrival and was not injured. Potsdam Fire provided traffic control and units were on scene for approximately 30 minutes.

 
Units: Engine 48: Pierce/ Crowe