| At 13:25 hours on Sunday, April 17, 2005 the Potsdam Fire Department was activated for a reported odor of natural gas at Congdon Hall on the downtown Clarkson University campus. Upon arrival of Engine 48, operated by Fire Driver Robert Pierce, the fire alarms were sounding and the evacuation of the occupied residence hall was underway. A Clarkson University resident assistant advised Fire Driver Pierce there was a strong odor of natural gas in the building. Fire Driver Pierce requested St. Lawrence County Central Dispatch notify St. Lawrence Gas of the incident and requested a representative to the scene.
Chief Taylor arrived on scene, at the rear of the building near the utilities entrance, and was met by a Clarkson University employee who advised he had responded to investigate the reported leak and discovered a 1" cast iron pipe connected to a generator had become dislodged and was releasing a steady supply of natural gas into the building. Chief Taylor advised incoming units of the report and all vehicle traffic around the area was redirected. The Potsdam Rescue Squad and Potsdam Police Department assisted Potsdam Firefighters with the traffic control detail. Rescue 30, operated by Past Chief Robert Robar, distributed traffic cones to assist with redirecting traffic. A 4" supply line was laid to Engine 48 from a nearby hydrant as a precautionary measure. Engine 80 operated by Firefighter Mark Bradish was directed to the rear, Elm Street side, of the building to standby. Rescue 14, operated by Firefighter Walt McLennan, was positioned to the front of the building. Past Chief John Keleher manned the station in the event additional apparatus was required at the scene.
As the Clarkson University resident assistant was taking a head count is was discovered that one student on the first floor was unaccounted for. Firefighters Dan McGregor and Stephen Petit, in a full protective envelope including SCBA, were sent into Congdon Hall in an attempt to locate the student. Simultaneously, Firefighter James Corbett and Past Chief Joseph Gallagher under the supervision of Second Assistant Chief Joseph Goliber were able to locate and shut off the natural gas supply to the building. Firefighters Wayne Andrus and Joseph R. Goliber then entered the structure to begin ventilation of the upper floors. Chief Taylor received a second report of a student that had not been accounted for and Firefighters Jason Brown and David Sharpe entered the building to locate the student.
First Assistant Chief David McGregor directed operations on the east side, the State Street side, of the building. All students were accounted for and ventilation of the building continued. Ventilation fans, powered by the generator from Rescue 14, were used to ventilate the boiler room area and the second floor area of Snell Hall. St. Lawrence Gas representatives continually monitored the air quality until the potential for explosion had passed.
Potsdam Firefighters returned to service at 15:16 hours. No injuries were reported. The building was turned over to Clarkson University officials and students were allowed to return their rooms. St. Lawrence Gas and Clarkson University Officials remained at the scene to continue their investigation of the incident. |
