On the evening of Monday February 17 2025 members of the Potsdam Fire Department had gathered at the Potsdam Fire Station for their monthly training. At 1924 hours West Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 where dispatched to 825 County Route 35 for a reported barn fire. Potsdam Fire was dispatched on automatic mutual aid for a tanker to respond.
At 1925 hours West Potsdam Chief J. Pierce (47-1) requested Canton and Hannawa Falls fire departments. Potsdam Engine 80 checked enroute at 1929 hours followed shortly by Potsdam Tanker 100. As units were responding, St. Lawrence County dispatch advised that there may possibly still be people in the barn.
At 1931 Potsdam Fire Assistant Chief J .Bradish (36-4) arrived on scene and confirmed a fully involved barn fire.
West Potsdam Engine 116 arrived on scene at 1932 hours. At that time it was determined that everyone was out of the barn and accounted for. West Potsdam Chief J.Pierce assumed incident command and requested Pierrepont Fire with a tanker and manpower as well as Potsdam with manpower. Due to the structure being well involved by fire a defensive fire attack approach was taken, a shot time into the incident a large portion of the bar collapsed.
As the incident progressed, resources from Colton, Madrid, Norwood, Morley, Lisbon, Heuvelton, Parishville, Brasher-Winthrop and West Stockholm fire departments.
Due to the recent amount of snow fall and cold temperatures making it difficult to access a water source, fill sites were established at fire hydrants on Clarkson Ave in Potsdam by Potsdam Engine 49, staffed by career fire driver R. Crowe, and in Canton on US Hwy 11 by Canton Engine 6. At the Potsdam site, Fire Driver Crowe was assisted in digging out the buried fire hydrant by several Clarkson students brought their own shovels to help.
Units were also assisted on scene by National Grid, St. Lawrence County Highway Department, St Lawrence County Emergency Services Cars 2,10 and 12. In total, Potsdam Fire responded with 4 pieces of fire apparatus and 16 members.
Potsdam Fire was back in service at 0055 hours Tuesday morning. |