On July 7, 2015 at approximately 7:15, Potsdam Fire Department was dispatched to the vicinity of Clarkson Ave for a transformer explosion/ utility pole fire/power outage. Engine 49 checked out of service immediately.

Upon arrival firefighters found a utility pole on fire on Clarkson Ave across from the entrance to Clarkson Hamlin-Power dorms. Potsdam Police blocked off access to Clarkson Ave from Maple Street and detoured traffic from Hannawa Falls through Clarkson Campus until National Grid could verify that the power was off to the pole so the pole fire could be extinguished.

The culprit of the problem was found to be a squirrel that happened to go too far up the pole.