| At 0507 hours the tones dropped for a report of smoke and sparks coming from the roof of the Gunnison Chapel on the campus of St. Lawrence University. Shortly after the dispatch, Canton PD Patrolman Jim Stone advised Central Dispatch that it was a working fire. Canton 4-2, First Assistant Chief Erik Johnson came on the radio and requested mutual aid from Morley Fire (engine and manpower), Rennselaer Falls Fire (engine and manpower) and Potsdam Fire (tower, engine and manpower). Upon arrival at the chapel, Chief Johnson, Second Assistant Chief Brian McCluskey, and Chief of Department Bob Crowe found a significant fire had taken hold of the bell tower and steeple area of the church. Chief Crowe assumed command and requsted a third aerial from Gouverneur Fire along with an engine and manpower. Chief McCluskey became the interior sector officer while Chief Johnson assumed the operations chief assignment. Tower 1 was directed to a position on the sidewalk at the front of the church to allow access to the involved area while Engine 6 laid 5" LDH to the nearest hydrant. Engine 8 laid LDH to the next closest hydrant and began the stretch to feed the tower. The crew from Engine 6 pulled a 2 1/2" preconnected line, adding an additional 100 feet and then ascending the stairs with two high rise packs to get to the seat of the fire.
Interior access to the fire area was made difficult by the need to traverse a narrow circular staircase in the steeple tower to reach the bell tower and then ladders to reach the areas involved in fire. Potsdam Fire Tower 5 arrived and was directed up a sidewalk and across the lawn to a position on side D. Engine 48 hit a hydrant on the lawn between ODY Library and Sykes Residence to feed the tower. The fire continued to grow in intensity. The interior crews were encountering a large body of fire and having difficulty gaining safe access to the fire area. In addition, concerns were mounting regarding the condition of the bell supports and the steeple. The Village of Canton DPW was requested to the scene to boost the water pressure in the area. DPW Foreman Mike Brown responded to the pressure regulating station south of the village on Park Street and increased the static pressure in the system by 25-30 psi. Gouverneur Truck 2 arrived and was directed across the lawn to a position on the sidewalk on the A-D corner of the building, nose to nose with Tower 1.
With the interior attack not making significant progress, the decision was made to move the interior crew to a position of safety and attack the fire in the bell tower with aerial master streams. As the master streams were placed into operation on the bell tower, the fire darkened down significantly to a point where the interior attack could recommence. The attention was then turned to the steeple where the fire continued to burn. Master streams were also used on the steeple as interior access was limited and not conducive to hose advancement. Portions of the copper skin were peeled away and streams aimed up into the steeple. While this knocked down a good portion of the fire, the burning at the top of the steeple, far out of reach of the aerial devices, continued. The fire in the bell tower was brought under control. Tower 1 was moved back and Truck 2 pulled ahead to get a better angle on the steeple fire with its 105' straight stick. Truck 2 was able to aim its master stream up into the steeple, extinguishing all the visible fire. An extensive salvage operation was under way as the thousands of gallons that were poured in through the aerial master streams and handlines and to be removed from the building. Pumps, brooms, squeegees, and tarps were deployed in an effort to minimize damage to the main sanctuary of the church. Mutual aid companies were gradually released and command of the incident was turned over to Chief Johnson. The smoldering steeple continued to be elusive. A decision was made to special call Heuvelton Fire to the scene with their CAFS truck to try and fully extinguish the steeple. A 50 foot extension of PVC was rigged on a nozzle and placed up inside the steeple from the access ladder below. CAFS was introduced however the fire in the very top of the steeple proved to be stubborn and would not succumb. In consultation with St. Lawrence senior staff the decision was made to leave the steeple as it was and utilize a crane in the morning to remove it and provide for complete extinguishment at that time. SLU Security and Safety staff would provide a fire watch and security patrols throughout the night. A contractor was brought in and the entire chapel area was fenced off.
Canton Fire was recalled to the scene at 2247 as the number of brands coming from the steeple had increased and were now landing on the roof of the adjacent Richardson Hall. Chief Johnson ordered the crew to the roof to inspect for any fire extension there. Finding none, the premises were again turned over to SLU Security and Safety who posted a fire watch on the roof. An earlier evaluation of the steeple showed the spire to be structurally unsound and the decision was made to wait until morning to attempt to extinguish the remaining fire in the very top of the steeple.
At approximately 0530 SLU Security and Safety officer watch as the steeple made its last stand in a stiff wind and crashed to the ground in front of the church. Canton Fire returned and extinguished the fire in the remaining portions of the steeple using water cans and the aerial master stream.
Throughout the incident the staff of SLU provided valuable incident support, providing meals and refreshments, pumps and any other equipment needed to support the firefighting and salvage operations. Their cooperation with the fire department was excellent and a special thank you goes out the Chief Pat Gagnon and his staff at the Security and Safety Department. The support of our neighboring departments from Potsdam, West Potsdam, Morley, Rennselaer Falls, Gouverneur, and Heuvelton was invaluable. |
