SARANAC LAKE - A fast response helped to ensure that Tissot Construction was saved from a fire early this morning.
Rick Knapton, who lives near the property on county Route 47, reported the fire around 3 a.m. The alarm went out at 3:04 a.m., and firefighters were at the scene minutes later. There was "a pretty large fire" in the center of the building when volunteers arrived, according to Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brendan Keough.
Volunteers got the fire under control quickly, dousing it with about 13,000 gallons of water.
"Within a half-hour, the main knockdown was done," Keough said.
Some construction material in the center of the building was lost, and there was damage to the floor and ceiling, Keough said. He said the fire was primarily contained to the building's center on the second floor.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Keough said there is nothing suspicious. The property is at the intersection of Route 47 and state Route 86, and is owned by Christopher Tissot.
Keough said the fire was put out so quickly because two paid fire drivers were on duty.
"It allowed us to have two trucks up there within minutes," Keough said.
The village has five fire driver positions now, with one vacant. In the village's latest budget, this position wouldn't be filled. Keough said he thinks the outcome for a similar incident in the future could be different if that position is cut.
Village Manager John Sweeney is working out the schedule now, but Mayor Clyde Rabideau said today that even if one position is eliminated, there would still be two fire drivers working most of the time - as there were this morning. This would be especially true during the workday, when volunteers are less likely to be available, he said.
Saranac Lake responded to this fire with seven trucks and 28 members. The Lake Placid, Paul Smiths-Gabriels and Bloomingdale volunteer fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene. The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department stood by at Saranac Lake's station, and the St. Regis Falls Volunteer Fire Department stood by at Paul Smiths-Gabriels' station.
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Contact Nathan Brown at 518-891-2600 ext. 26 or nbrown@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
