Second Working Fire In Two Days

On October 26, 2013 at 10:52am Potsdam Fire Department was dispatched to 35 Larnard Street, in the Village, for a reported structure fire. Engine 49 responded immediately.

Upon arrival 36-3, Second Assistant Chief David McGregor assumed Incident Command and stated that there was heavy smoke coming from the back of the one story residence. Chief McGregor requested a second alarm for Potsdam Fire and requested West Potsdam to stand by at Potsdam Station with an engine and manpower.

Engine 49, operated by Fire Driver Mike Lozipone, laid 4” LDH from the closest hydrant to the residence. Members stretched the line through the front door and found heavy fire in a bedroom in the back of the residence. The interior crew proceeded with an aggressive attack and extinguished the fire, containing it to the room of origin and preventing the fire’s spread.

The cause of the fire was determined to be papers being placed too close to the electric baseboard heaters. The fact the home was equipped with working smoke detectors contributed to early detection of the fire and quick evacuation of the house by the residents. There were no injuries and all units were back in service at 12:50 hours.