On Friday, May 13th 2022, Potsdam Fire received a landline from an alarm company reporting a fire alarm activation at the Lawrence Avenue Elementary School, kitchen area. At 0738 hours, Engine 49 responded chauffeured by Paid Driver Mark Maroney and arrived on scene at 0740 hours. On arrival, school personnel advised that there was a small active fire in the kitchen. Fire personnel utilized a wet can (water extinguisher) off of Engine 49 and extinguished flames from cardboard boxes on fire in the kitchen. It was found, that staff had placed cardboard on top of the ovens and when they started up to cook breakfast it ignited a fire in the cardboard. The kitchen Ansul system kicked in and extinguished most of the fire before arrival.

Fire personnel remained on scene and assisted with removing items from the kitchen and ventilating the area with an exhaust fan. Potsdam Police responded and assisted on scene. At the time of the fire, no students were inside of the school and no one was injured. Once the alarm system was able to reset, students and staff were able to re-enter the school and start the school day. Potsdam Fire was in service at 0845 hours.