| At 0015 hrs the Canton Fire Department was called out by St. Lawrence County 911 Center to the Norman Flannigan residence reporting an unknown type fire in the residence at 5154 CR 27. Further information given was that the homeowner was still in the structure, but all other occupants were out of the residence. Third Assistant Chief Erik Johnson requested assistance early on from Pierrepont Fire, sending an Engine, two Tankers and a Rescue unit along with manpower, due to the temperatures being well below zero degrees with dangerous wind chill. First arriving Chief Engineer Mike Morgan, assuming command, reported light smoke around the structure upon arrival at 0031 . Engine 6, first due for Canton, quickly stretched two handlines and searching for the seat of the fire. With units arriving from both Canton and Pierrepont, Third Assistant Chief Erik Johnson assumed command of the Water Supply Sector at the road to coordinate the LDH relay and tankers if needed. Pierrepont's Engine was staged at the hydrant at Boyden Road/CR27 intersection. FF Gavin and FF Perruccio (Engine-6) gained access to the crawl space under the house to find moderate charring to the floor joists in the front center of the house along with limited visibility due to the smoke. FF S. McGregor and FF Larrabee (Engine-8) worked the front of the house and porch area along with the rest of the crews from E-6, E-8 and R-1. Chief Morgan called for the Thermal Imaging Camera from Rescue One and ventilation was set up from E-6 and all three crews worked together to check for extension. Chief Morgan working with Pierrepont Chief Tim Green decided that the front section of flooring was to come up to reveal light charring and slight extension to the flooring of the residence. After determining that there was no open fire, just smoldering conditions, Chief Morgan released Pierrepont's equipment while Canton stayed on to check for extension. Unable to determine the exact cause and origin of this fire, Chief Morgan put the call out for a fire investigator to respond to the scene. County Car 18, Jerome Wilson arrived and conferred with Chief Morgan and took over the fire investigation task. Many thanks go out to all those who responded, especially our brother and sister firefighters from Pierrepont, for braving the frigid cold temperatures in making another good save! |
