At 2:30 a.m. on June 8th, the sound of breaking glass and sirens pierced the small community’s quiet. Arriving Tupper Lake volunteers found heavy fire coming from the over 116 year old structure.

Command Special requested Tupper Tower 164 to the scene, followed by a request for Saranac Lake’s Tower and an engine, and manpower from Paul Smith Gabriels VFD. 

The fire grew in intensity and a decision was made to initiate a county wide request for manpower from all Franklin County Fire Departments. In total, 10 departments from Franklin and Essex County answered the call. Power was cut to the building and Tower apparatus attempted to extinguish the flames and protect a residence on the Delta side of the burning building. The fight lasted into the morning until placed under control. Tupper Lake village workers used an excavator to move some debris to hit hot spots. 

NY State Police diverted traffic around the scene. Tupper Lake EMS treated one firefighter on scene for exhaustion. The Franklin County Cause and Origin were conducting a investigation into the possible cause of the fire.