Truck 1 placed in operation to gain access to the attic area.
Engine 6, with FF/EMT Steve Desantis at the controls, had multiple handlines in operation.
FF Tim Gavin and FF Shawn McGregor working on the stubborn fire in the attic.
Pierrepont Assistant Chief Leighton Filiatrault and FF Eric Walraven wait to ascend the ladder.
FF Brendan Kiniry and Pierrepont FF Josh Rose man a handline.
FF/AEMT-CC Adam Leggett, slightly wet and dirty after a bit of work.
A crew from Russell Fire works the D side of the building amidst the class A foam.
Pierrepont Chief Tim Green mans the deck gun on Engine 6.
Pyrites ETA-90 on its maiden voyage!
Past Chief Bill Bennett at the helm of Truck 1.
Assistant Chief Erik Johnson and FF Tim Gavin.
Truck 1 repositioned for master stream operations.
By 1st Assistant Fire Chief Robert Crowe
April 5, 2008
An early morning fire ravaged a County Route 27 home this morning and left one occupant with burns to her hand and face. The Canton Fire Department was dispatched to a reported furnace fire at 5338 CR27 at 0531 hours. A second alert upgraded the call to a structure fire and Engine 6 was enroute at 0540 with a full crew. A sheriffs unit arrived on scene and reported that the house was fully involved and that all occupants had exited the structure. Third Assistant Chief Brian McCluskey requested that the first alarm Tanker Task Force be activated while still responding based on the updated information. He arrived and established "Canton Command". Engine 6 arrived on scene at 0548 and was able to lay a 4" line and a 2 ½" line from a hydrant 150 feet from the home on CR 27. Engine 8, Rescue 1, Tanker 20 and Ambulance 132 also responded to the initial alarm. Pierrepont Fire, Russell Fire, Pyrites Fire all responded on the Tanker Task Force first alarm with Potsdam Fire relocating to Canton Station and Colton Fire relocating to Pierrepont Station. A tanker shuttle was established to the opposite side of the structure from a hydrant at the Brick Chapel Bridge, approximately a mile to the north. Chief McCluskey special called Truck 1 to the scene as the operation had shifted from offensive to defensive and access to the roof and attic area was needed. Multiple handlines were in operation, as well as the deck gun on Engine 6 and eventually the elevated master stream on Truck 1 was set up.
Homeowner Paula Laspina received burn injuries to her hand and nose after remaining in the residence to use the restroom instead of evacuating the home immediately. She was evaluated by EMS personnel and refused transport. The other three residents were uninjured. There were no firefighter injuries and all units were back in service at 1022 hours. The fire is being investigated by Joe Lacks (Car 30), Chris Sherwin (Car 32), and Brian Sullivan (Car 36) of the St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team. The exact cause is still under investigation although it is believed that a furnace malfunction made have been a contributing factor.
