Working Fire On The Cowan Road

 
By Past Fire Chief Robert Crowe
April 28, 2026
 

At 7:38 p.m., Canton Fire, Canton Rescue, and County Car 4 were dispatched to a reported house fire at 190 Cowan Road. The caller informed 911 dispatchers that a fire had started in her bedroom and confirmed that all occupants had exited the residence.

Assistant Chief Johnson arrived on scene within two minutes and initially observed no smoke or fire from the front of the house. Upon further size-up, fire was discovered at the rear of the residence on the second floor, prompting Chief Johnson to request the Tanker Task Force.

Engine 7 and Tanker 20 responded at 7:43 p.m. and arrived at 7:46 p.m. Crews laid a rural hitch up the driveway, assisted by County Car 10, and began nurse feed operations while a dump site was established. The Tanker Task Force enlisted mutual aid from West Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Fire, Pyrites Fire, and Pierrepont Fire with Potsdam Fire establish a draft site at the bridge on the Cowan Road, just off USH 11.

Firefighters stretched an attack line into the home, located the source of the fire, and quickly brought it under control. Additional personnel performed ventilation, salvage, and overhaul to prevent further fire spread and limit property damage. The St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation team was requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Canton Fire was assisted on scene by the New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Canton Rescue, and County Cars 4 and 10.

No injuries to civilians or fire service personnel were reported. Twenty-one Canton Fire members responded to the incident, and all Canton units were back in service at 9:40 p.m.

 
Units: Engine 7 (Gavin), TA-20 (Witherhead), Rescue 1 (M Dalton), Engine 6 (Cary)
 
Mutual Aid: West Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Fire, Pyrites Fire, Pierrepont Fire, New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Canton Rescue, County Cars 4 & 10, St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team