Box Trailer Fire on State Highway 11B
 
By Fire Driver Mark Maroney
April 22, 2024
 

On Monday, April 22nd, 2024 at 1455 hours, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were dispatched to a reported garage fire at 238 State Highway 11B. Central Dispatch updated that this was a tractor trailer on fire next to a garage at the residence. At 1457 hours, Engine 49 Chauffeured by Paid Driver Robar responded. Potsdam Fire 36-2 (Dan McGregor) requested West Stockholm Fire with tanker and manpower to respond. Rescue 14 (M. Keleher) and Tanker 100 (J. Corbett) responded shortly after. Engine 49 arrived on scene at 1459 hours with a working fire with exposures. 36-1 (Mark Bradish) advised that State Highway 11B was shutdown due to the fire. Tanker 100 dropped its porta tank behind Engine 49 and began tanker shuttle from the nearest hydrant where Engine 80 (David McGregor) responded and suppled tankers with water from the hydrant.

Firefighters on scene stretched two 1 3/4" handlines and started to extinguish the flames. Firefighters quickly worked to cool down the garage as it was only a few feet away from the trailer. Firefighters on scene checked the garage with thermal imaging camera and found that their actions had prevented the garage from catching on fire.

Fire suppression was difficult due to the box trailer being full of lawn mower parts with a wood pile stacked right next to the trailer. Engine 49 supplied both handlines with Class A foam to completely extinguish the fire. Firefighters worked with West Stockholm Fire to pull apart the trailer and get to areas where hotspots were located. Potsdam Rescue responded for fire standby, and no injuries were reported. The fire was found to be accidental in cause determined by fire officials on scene. Potsdam Police assisted on scene with traffic control and assistance. Potsdam Fire was in service at 1728 hours.

 
Units: Engine 49 (J. Robar), Rescue 14 (M. Keleher), Tanker 100 (J. Corbett), Engine 80 (David McGregor)