Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Royce Cole said there were no injuries or deaths from the fire. The building, which Cole said had been previously condemned, was reduced to a pile of rubble.

“It is a complete loss,” he said. “We had the local DPW come in with an excavator and put it into one big pile.”

Cole said the initial report of the fire was received at 4:10 a.m. He did not have an exact count of the number of firefighters who had responded to the blaze at press time but said the department responded with two engine trucks, a tower truck and a miscellaneous utility truck.

When firefighters first arrived on the scene, Cole said there was a heavy fire load in the back of the building. It took several hours of intensive suppression efforts to eliminate the danger.

Firefighters suppress a structure fire at 41 Main St. in Tupper Lake on Tuesday. (Provided photo — Royce Cole)

“At least a solid two hours of heavy fire,” Cole said. “Overall, I’d say it took a good five hours to where we finally felt solid and comfortable that we could handle the situation with no concerns.”

Despite the large blaze and close density of nearby structures, there was no damage to surrounding properties.

“There was a house probably 10 to 15 feet away from the main fire building,” he said.

Cole said there was just a gentle breeze, and weather conditions did not impede fire suppression efforts.

The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department received mutual aid from several neighboring volunteer fire departments. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded with a tower truck and manpower. The Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department responded with an engine truck and manpower. The Piercefield Volunteer Fire Department responded with an engine truck and manpower. The Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department responded with manpower. The Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded with an engine and manpower to stand by at the Tupper Lake firehouse.

Cole said there had been reports of squatters in and out of the building, but could not confirm the duration or exact situation of the occupation. He added the cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by the Franklin County Cause and Origin team.

The Red Cross provided financial and emotional support, comfort kits containing personal care items and health services to two adult individuals affected by the fire, according to a Tuesday afternoon press release from the organization.

“Volunteers from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after a fire early Tuesday morning on Main Street in Tupper Lake,” the group stated. “The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing to two adults.”

The Red Cross added that their volunteers remain available over the coming days to assist those impacted.

The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department was fully back in service shortly after noon Tuesday. As firefighters contained the flames, Main Street — which is part of state Route 3 — was closed in both directions between its intersections with Depot Street and Cedar Street.

During the closure, traffic was able to be re-routed using Depot Street, allowing vehicles to keep moving through the area using the detour. Cole said Main Street re-opened around 11:30 a.m.