Firefighters Respond To Norwood For Christmas Eve Structure Fire

Firefighters from three departments battled single digit temperatures to extinguish a blaze on Main Street in Norwood. The fire broke out in the bakery building across the street from the Norwood Fire Station around 1905 hrs. Initially reported to be smoke coming from the roof, the fire was immediately reported to be a working fire by Norwood firefighter and former Potsdam Paid Driver Chub Purves. Norwood 30-2 placed Potsdam and Norfolk on stand-by at 1908 hrs. In less than a minute, 30-2 requested Norfolk and Potsdam to move to the scene. Engine 80 (FF Dan McGregor), Tower 5 (FF Bradish), Rescue 14 (FF J. Farnsworth) and Rescue 30 (Past Chief J. Keleher) responded along with 30 firefighters.
Potsdam apparatus operated at the rear of the structure and members perform interior and roof operations. A trench cut was made near the fire wall to prevent the spread of the fire from the fire building to the attached exposure building next door. The fire was confined to the building of origin. The St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation team is conducting the investigation, which is on-going. Hannawa Falls Fire stood by at Potsdam Station with an engine and manpower.
It should be noted that this was the first fire for four new members of the department: FF Jerry "Buddy" Robar, FF Andrew "AJ" Mason, FF Danielle Rose, and FF Richard Wolfe. Not bad to catch a big job for your first fire!