Fourth Fire in Nine Days Damages House on Gouverneur Street

Members had not yet gotten a full nights sleep since the last fire when the tones dropped again for a reported house fire at 26 Gouverneur Street. The three Assistant Chiefs arrived on scene to find a 2 story wood frame dwelling with heavy smoke pushing from the eaves, and fire going up the outside wall in the rear. Engine 7 arrived at 0407 hours and laid a 5" supply line from the nearest hydrant 300 feet away. Crews stretched handlines to the kitchen area to push the fire out the rear of the building and raised ladders to ventilate the roof. It became apparent that the fire had gained a significant hold on the building and had extended to the attic area. First Assistant Chief Robert Crowe, the Incident Commander, requested mutual aid form Morley Fire for SCBA personnel. Potsdam Fire was requested to standby at Canton Station with an Engine. In addition, SCBA personnel and Tower 5 were also requested from Potsdam Fire to respond to the scene. Engine 48 was redirected to the scene as the fire in the attic area intensified. and laid a 4" supply line from a hydrant 400 feet away. Firefighters had knocked the fire down on the first floor and proceeded to complete and extensive overhaul to the second floor ceiling to open up the attic as well as remove large sections of roof for the same purpose. The residents of the house had been alerted by thier dog to the fire and had escaped without injury. After the fire was brought under control, members of the St. Lawrence County Fire Investigation Team began thier investigation and determined that the fire was caused by combustible materials (clothing) being placed too close to an electric oil-filled heater. All Canton units were back in service at 0925.