Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 7 were dispatched at 1742 hours to a report of a trailer fire at 34 South Canton Road between the Dayton Road and Anderson Road. Engine 80 (J. Corbett), Tanker 100 (J. Robar) responded within two minutes and Rescue 14 responded a few minutes later with a full crew. Engine 48 (M. Bradish) responded to set up draft to fill tankers. First Assistant Chief David McGregor arrived on scene, established Command and reported nothing showing from the outside of the trailer. Further investigation revealed a fire burning underneath the trailer.
Firefighters opened up the skirting of the trailer and used wet cans to try to extinguish the fire but were not able to access the seat of the fire. Command requested West Potsdam to respond non-emergency with a tanker to supplement the on scene water supply. Firefighters opened up the floor of the trailer in the area of the fire to gain access to the seat of the fire. The fire was extinguished and salvage and overhaul operations commenced. At 1910 hours the St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team to the scene to determine the Cause and Origin of the fire.
Upon investigation it was determined that the homeowner had been working on his furnace earlier in day when it apparently sparked and ignited insulation. The owner had gone outside for a short period of time and upon returning noticed the residence was full of smoke. Twenty firefighters responded to the scene and Potsdam Fire was back in service at 2056 hours.