Early Morning Main St. Kitchen Fire Quickly Contained

March 21, 2008
At 05:55 am Potsdam firefighters were toned out for a fire call 45 Main St directly across from the fire station. The caller stated the building's alarms were going off and the building was filling with smoke. Engine-48 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from a large 3 story wood frame apartment building and that the building was being evacuated. Engine-48 Paid Fire Driver Fenton transmitted a second alarm for a working fire. Potsdam Police located the fire in a down stairs kitchen and emptied their fire extinguishers into the kitchen area. Firefighters quickly stretched a 1 3/4 line and knocked down the remaining fire. The fire was contained to the stove and kitchen cabinets near the stove. Searches were conducted to ensure all occupants were out of the building. One female occupant was given oxygen by Potsdam Rescue. The building was a rental property and was occupied by an unknown number of students at the time of the fire. The fire is believed to have been started by a burner left on under a pan that was being used to cook french-fries. Potsdam firefighters returned to service around 7:15 am.