At 0712 hours Potsdam Fire responded to 150 Market Street for a report of a porch fire that had apparently occurred sometime over night. Upon arrival Engine 49, operated by Fire Driver Robert Crowe, and Assistant Chief Justin Perry found a wheelchair ramp on the rear of a multiple dwelling that had been involved in fire and continued to smolder. Rescue 14, operated by Past Chief Robert Robar arrived shortly thereafter. The trash line from the bumper of E-49 was stretched through the apartment and the remaining ramp was doused. The burned portion of the ramp was removed to prevent any chance of further extension. The investigation into the cause of the fire determined that the occupant had used a disposable barbeque the previous evening and had left it sitting on the wooden railing. During the night the railing burned through causing burning embers to fall onto the ramp surface below. The fire continued to spread during the night, consuming a three foot chunk of the ramp and its supporting structure. All units were back in service at 0802 hours.

The Potsdam Fire Department would like to remind residents that if they choose to use a grill like this that it should be placed on a non-combustible surface and should be extinguished fully after use. The residents of this apartment building were very fortunate that the fire did not spread to the building itself during the night.