Two people left homeless following fire in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG -- Five fire departments responded to a fire on Grant Street Sunday morning.

The blaze, which is under investigation, was reported around 5 a.m. and took about four and half hours to extinguish, according to city officials.

Ogdensburg Fire, Rescue, and CC9 were dispatched to the 300 block of Grant Street for a reported structure fire.

Once on scene, fire officials reported the fire was threatening a neighboring house.

Heuvelton fire, and more manpower were requested to the scene at this time.

"Crews went to working stretching an attack line and knocking down the fire threatening the house next door, officials said. Simultaneously a water supply was secured," officials said. "The fire grew quickly right after arrival and about two thirds of the house became well off in fire."

Morristown firefighters were then requested to the scene with additional manpower.

Off duty members arrived and stretched an additional line to the rear of the house and to the second exposure. A two-man crew was able to make a push into the house and knock down some fire.

Heuvelton arrived and began extinguishing and venting.

"As the fire progressed it was determined that the house was balloon frame and had no insulation," officials said. "This contributed to rapid fire spread from the first floor to the attic."

Rensselaer Falls was brought to Ogdensburg for standby and Lisbon and Waddington were called for more manpower as this was a taxing fire.

At one point, all firefighters evacuated the structure due to hidden fire and lost structural integrity, officials said.

Fire officials said multiple hidden voids, balloon frame construction and 4 layers of roofing on top of the houses being in close proximity made this a difficult fight.

The fire was declared out around 9:30 a.m. Overhaul was conducted for multiple hot spots.

No cause was revealed.

Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after a fire

Assisting on scene were Ogdensburg police, Ogdensburg rescue, County Car 1, National Grid, Liberty Utilities, and DPW.

Providing mutual aid were Heuvelton, Morristown, Lisbon, and Waddington on scene. Rensselaer Falls standing by at OFD, Canton at Heuvelton, and Louisville for Waddington.

"We are truly appreciative for their continued support," officials said.