Structure Fire at Amish Residence
 
By Fire Driver Mark Maroney
August 17, 2024
 

On Saturday, August 17th 2024 at 1419 hours, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were alerted to 426 State Highway 11B for a reported structure fire at an Amish Residence. Shortly after time of call, County Car 32 (S. Davis) arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire with smoke coming from residence. Assistant Chief Jay Bradish (36-4) then requested West Stockholm Fire with tankers and manpower while enroute to the scene. At 1420 hours, Engine 80 (S. Corbett) responded followed by Rescue 14 (M. Keleher) and Tanker 100 (M. Maroney), arriving on scene at 1423 hours. Assistant Chief Bradish then requested Parishville Fire with manpower and tanker to the scene as well as personnel to shut down State Highway 11B at the Hatch Road and Heath Road. Engine 49 (S. Grant) responded to the hydrant near the Valero and set up to fill tankers. The fire proved difficult to extinguish due to the strong winds, the large amount of smoke being generated and hovering close to the ground, and the balloon construction of the old farmhouse. Multiple handlines and a blitz gun were used off of Engine 80 to begin the fire attack. Two porta tanks were dropped in the driveway for a tanker shuttle to supply Engine 80. Tower 5 was requested by 36-4 to respond to the scene. Tower 5 (M. Bradish) responded and was placed in the parking lot next door and set up to access to the roof and parts of the structure. The master stream off T-5's bucket was placed in service to knock down the fire in the attic area.

Due to the construction of the structure making difficult to access the hidden fire, tankers and manpower were also called from West Potsdam Fire, Hannawa Falls Fire, Brasher-Winthrop Fire. Norwood Fire was requested with a tanker and Canton Fire was requested for manpower to the scene.

Firefighters battled the difficult fire for several hours, extinguishing flames and performing overhaul of the structure. Firefighters assisted the homeowner and family by retrieving items they wanted to remove from the structure. Members of the St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team were on scene and the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. A Rehab trailer was brought by Potsdam Rescue for safety of the fire agencies on scene and squad members provided firefighter rehabilitation to all fire personnel. Potsdam Fire was in service at 1911 hours.

 
Units: Engine 80 (S. Corbett), Rescue 14 (M. Keleher), Tanker 100 (M. Maroney), Engine 49 (S. Grant)
 
Mutual Aid: West Stockholm Fire, Parishville Fire, West Potsdam Fire, Hannawa Falls Fire, Norwood Fire, Brasher-Winthrop Fire, Canton Fire